Key facts
- Crimea's tourist season is faltering due to Ukrainian strikes and resulting power outages.
- Russian-installed authorities declared a state of emergency in Crimea on June 26.
- Ukrainian strikes on June 25 targeted energy, oil, and military infrastructure across the peninsula.
- Widespread power outages affected roughly half of Crimea on June 23.
- A key railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal was destroyed by Ukrainian forces.
- Summer camps in Crimea have been suspended until September due to security concerns.
Crimea's tourist season is faltering as intensified Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt energy, oil, and military infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages and the suspension of summer camps.
Russian-installed authorities declared a regional state of emergency on June 26, citing economic reasons and the need to ensure stable functioning of essential services. This measure followed large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks on June 25 that targeted a railway bridge, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure across the peninsula.
These strikes are part of Ukraine's broader strategy to disrupt Russian military logistics in occupied Crimea. On June 25, Ukrainian forces hit energy and oil infrastructure, causing power outages that affected approximately half of the peninsula. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show widespread power disruptions in Simferopol and Yalta.
Targets on June 25 included the Tavriya Thermal Power Plant, an oil depot, gas compressor stations, electrical substations, and radar stations. Explosions were also reported near the Balaklava Power Plant in Sevastopol. Russian-installed officials introduced temporary electricity restrictions in Sevastopol due to strain on the power system, which also affected water supplies in Yevpatoria.
Prior to Russia's 2014 annexation, Crimea relied on mainland Ukraine for over 80% of its electricity. While Russia developed independent power sources, these facilities remain vulnerable.
Ukrainian forces also struck a railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal on June 22, destroying part of the rail line and causing a span to collapse. A subsequent operation on June 23 targeted repair equipment and the remaining bridge sections, effectively destroying it. On the same night, Ukraine reportedly hit over 60 Russian military targets with medium-range drones.
Citing security concerns, Russian-installed authorities announced on June 22 the suspension of children's summer camps across Crimea until early September. Children already at camps were being sent home.