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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) said Russian logistics across the Kerch Strait have been severely disrupted after a series of coordinated strikes left the Kerch ferry crossing operating at just 25% of its previous capacity, UATV English reports.
USF Commander Col. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said Operation “Molochka,” carried out during the first half of July in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), reduced the ferry crossing’s operational capacity by 75%.
Before the operation, the route between Port Kavkaz in Russia’s Krasnodar region and the Port of Crimea was served by four active ferries, with a fifth vessel kept in reserve.
According to Brovdi, two ferries — Yeysk and Maria — were disabled beyond repair and are not expected to return to service. Another vessel, SKS One, was destroyed and is reportedly lying in the Kamysh-Burun port.
The remaining ferries, Lavrentiy and Panagia, were also damaged in strikes involving the USF, the SSU and Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). Brovdi said both vessels have lost the ability to operate independently and are now being towed as barges, significantly reducing their transport capacity and increasing their vulnerability to future attacks.
According to the commander, each ferry previously transported between eight and 15 vehicles, while the crossing handled approximately 180 to 250 vehicles per day under normal conditions. Around 80% of that traffic was allocated to Russia’s Ministry of Defense for military logistics.
“The Kerch ferry crossing is finished,” Brovdi said, adding that Russia may attempt to replace the lost capacity by deploying another ferry from the Astrakhan region.
The Kerch ferry crossing has become increasingly important for Russian military logistics following repeated Ukrainian strikes on the Crimean Bridge and other transport infrastructure linking occupied Crimea with mainland Russia.
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