Drone Units Hit 18 Power Substations in Crimea During 'Crimean Switch-Off' Operation.

The 'Crimean Switch-Off' Campaign

According to UATV: Between July 25 and 27, 2023, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 18 electrical substations across the occupied territories—primarily in Crimea—as part of the operation dubbed 'Crimean Switch-Off.' Since the start of July, Ukrainian forces have disabled 154 enemy energy facilities. This coordinated attack targets the power grid that supports Russian military logistics in the region.

Among the substations hit was the 330 kV 'Simferopol' facility in the city of Simferopol. The 220 kV 'Bakhchisarai' substation in Bakhchisarai sustained two separate strikes. The following 110 kV substations were also targeted:

• Luchievaya
• Kapsel
• Sudak
• Niva
• Novoozernaya
• Perevalnoye
• Dozornoye
• Zhavoronki
• Skvortsovo
• Alushta
• Artek
• Blizhnie Kamyshi

Broader Energy Infrastructure Strikes

Beyond Crimea, Ukrainian strikes hit power infrastructure in other occupied areas: Goncharovka in Luhansk region, Tavriychanka and Tavriya in Kherson region, and Novy Svit in Donetsk region.

As part of the same operation, Ukraine's drone units also targeted 13 vessels of Russia's shadow fleet operating in the Black and Azov Seas. Commenting on the operation, Robert 'Madur' Brovdy noted: “18 power nodes over 25–27 July in Crimea (14) and other parts of the occupied territories (4) were taken out by the SBS Birds.” These actions demonstrate Ukraine's growing ability to disrupt Russian supply lines and military capabilities.

The strikes on energy infrastructure in Crimea and other occupied regions are a key element of Ukraine's broader strategy to degrade Russia's war-fighting potential and apply sustained pressure on its forces. By crippling critical power systems, the Ukrainian military aims not only to deplete enemy resources but also to signal its capacity for effective retaliation. The campaign also reflects an escalation in the conflict, with both sides likely to intensify their operations in the coming period. These targeted attacks show Ukraine's focus on weakening Russian control over occupied territories through precision strikes on vital infrastructure.