What Ukraine’s 40-Day SBU Campaign Aims to Achieve With Strikes on Crimea and Odesa.

Debate Over the Situation in Ukraine

According to Espreso.tv: On the broadcast of the program 'Now the Main Thing,' Bohdan Bachynskyi, editor-in-chief of espreso.tv, analyzed the strikes on Odesa, the objectives behind the Security Service of Ukraine’s 40-day operation, and the circumstances in annexed Crimea. In late June 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of this 40-day campaign, which is designed to compel Russia into peace negotiations through the use of long-range and medium-range attacks. This context helps English-speaking audiences understand Ukraine’s strategic shift toward offensive operations aimed at disrupting Russian military capabilities.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have been systematically dismantling Crimea’s air defense systems. According to Bachynskyi,

“Initially, the Armed Forces of Ukraine methodically destroyed the air defense system in Crimea.”

Meanwhile, in Crimea, shops are shutting down due to power outages, and in Kerch, explosions occur every night—though local news outlets remain silent about them. Strikes on Russian logistics in southern Ukraine represent an extension of the logistical blockade on Crimea, which has effectively halted oil transshipment in the region.

Operations in the Black Sea

Bachynskyi further noted:

“The operation currently being carried out by the Unmanned Systems Forces in the Sea of Azov, and which has now moved into the Black Sea, is aimed at fully blockading Crimea and achieving its complete demilitarization.”

He explained that the attacks on Odesa and its port infrastructure are Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to assert some influence in the Black Sea, but so far, he has failed to do so.

As a result, the regional situation remains tense, with Ukrainian military actions focused on tightening control and bolstering security in the conflict zone. This 40-day operation highlights Ukraine’s intensified military efforts in the south, particularly in Crimea, reflecting the country’s drive to reduce Russian military presence in the area. The electricity shortages and store closures in Crimea point to severe economic consequences for the local population, as well as the effectiveness of Ukrainian strikes on the aggressor’s infrastructure.