National Guard to Expand Drone Pilot Corps, Intensifying Strikes on Crimea’s Supply Lines.

National Guard Plans to Boost Pilot Numbers

According to Espreso.tv: Major General Oleksandr Pivnenko, commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, has announced an expansion of the force’s pilot corps aimed at crippling enemy logistics, particularly in Crimea. He stated that attacks on military targets across the peninsula are being stepped up as part of a broader effort to increase pressure on Russian forces.

Targets and Operational Outcomes

Strikes currently underway in Crimea are focused on critical infrastructure, including:

• airfields
• air defense positions
• ammunition depots
• logistics hubs

Pivnenko highlighted the effectiveness of the Unmanned Systems Forces, specifically the Madar unit, and urged them to maintain their aggressive tempo:

'The Unmanned Systems Forces, Madar, are active in Crimea. They know exactly what they are doing. I can only say: keep up the maximum pressure.' - Oleksandr Pivnenko

He also reaffirmed the strategic goal of severing enemy supply routes to cripple their operations:

'We will cut off the enemy’s logistics so thoroughly that they will find it extremely difficult to function.' - Oleksandr Pivnenko

By summer 2026, disruptions in fuel deliveries across the peninsula had already been recorded, indicating the tangible impact of these operations.

Pivnenko’s comments underscore Ukraine’s strategic shift toward systematically degrading Russian military assets in Crimea. The planned increase in pilot numbers, coupled with aggressive drone deployment, reflects a drive to enhance strike precision and further expose the vulnerability of enemy supply networks. These efforts could significantly hinder Russia’s ability to sustain operations in the region, especially as Ukrainian pressure continues to mount.