New Images Show Impact Of Ukraine 'Middle Strike' Drone Campaign
- By RFE/RL
Recent photos from a key Russian logistics route highlight the growing impact of Ukraine's efforts to stifle Russian operations.
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This charred truck is one of several destroyed vehicles that were photographed on June 19 along a highway running from Russia into Russian-held territory in Ukraine.
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An overturned trailer that was hit by a drone on what Russia calls the R150 highway.
The R150 has been called Russia's "main logistics artery" for the invading military in southern Ukraine and forms part of the Kremlin's "land bridge" to Crimea.
The R150 has been called Russia's "main logistics artery" for the invading military in southern Ukraine and forms part of the Kremlin's "land bridge" to Crimea.
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A burned-out vehicle with a blast hole visible (top left) sits alongside the highway in the Donetsk region.
In early June, local authorities announced restrictions on passenger traffic along the R150 highway, including a ban on transporting children.
In early June, local authorities announced restrictions on passenger traffic along the R150 highway, including a ban on transporting children.
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A destroyed truck along the highway through Russian-held Donetsk on June 19.
In recent weeks Ukraine has focused on what it calls a "middle strike" campaign that targets Russian logistics up to 200 kilometers from the front lines.
In recent weeks Ukraine has focused on what it calls a "middle strike" campaign that targets Russian logistics up to 200 kilometers from the front lines.
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A road sign on the R150 highway on June 19.
Supply vehicles far from the front lines generally carry larger cargoes than near the front and move without military armor, making them relatively easy targets for drone operators able to reach deep into Russian-held territory.
Supply vehicles far from the front lines generally carry larger cargoes than near the front and move without military armor, making them relatively easy targets for drone operators able to reach deep into Russian-held territory.
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A destroyed trailer along the R150.
Some cargo traversing the R150 is intended for the supply-starved Crimean Peninsula, where civilians are now banned from purchasing fuel. Shortages are likely to be exacerbated by a strike on oil storage facilities that came overnight on June 20-21.
Some cargo traversing the R150 is intended for the supply-starved Crimean Peninsula, where civilians are now banned from purchasing fuel. Shortages are likely to be exacerbated by a strike on oil storage facilities that came overnight on June 20-21.
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A satellite image shows a blaze at an oil depot on the Crimean Peninsula on June 21.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an attack on the oil facility, around 1 kilometer from the western end of the Kerch Bridge as part of a series of strikes that targeted "facilities on both sides of the Crimean Bridge."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an attack on the oil facility, around 1 kilometer from the western end of the Kerch Bridge as part of a series of strikes that targeted "facilities on both sides of the Crimean Bridge."
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Holidaymakers seen in front of the Kerch Bridge on June 12.
Following the June 20-21 strikes, traffic on the bridge connecting Russia and Crimea was reportedly shut down.
Following the June 20-21 strikes, traffic on the bridge connecting Russia and Crimea was reportedly shut down.
