1/ The Russian-appointed governor of the occupied part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region has told Vladimir Putin in person that the R-280 highway to Crimea is under total Russian control. Russian warbloggers dispute this and suggest that he's lying. ⬇️ bsky.app
❗️On one of the supply routes in occupied Crimea. Burned-out trucks line the roadside as a new Russian-guarded convoy races forward — until Ukrainian drones attack.
2/ In a meeting at the Kremlin, Yevgeny Balitsky said: "The R-280 road, which supplies Crimea, is currently under complete control, the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones has significantly decreased. The means used are constantly being improved."
3/ "There are new methods being used. There are new means being used by the Russian Armed Forces. At your direction, the road was placed under special control." 4/ In recent weeks, Ukraine's 'middle strike' drone campaign has caused the systematic destruction of Russian trucks heading to Crimea along the 'land corridor' created by Russia's annexation of parts of southern Ukraine.
5/ Russian warbloggers have described the job of working as a truck driver in the occupied territories as becoming no less dangerous as that of being a stormtrooper. The shipping fee for a single cargo consignment has reportedly reached as much as 500,000 rubles ($6,363). 6/ As a result of the attacks, according to Robert 'Madyar' Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, traffic on the highway has decreased by more than two-thirds. Russian air defences have struggled to cope, and have repeatedly come under attack themselves. 7/ Russian warbloggers are sceptical, to say the least. 'Two Majors' is incredulous: 8/ "The R-280 "Novorossiya" highway, which supplies Crimea, is now under full control [❓❓❓]. "I can say, to the credit of the military, that the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones has significantly decreased." 9/ "We eagerly await the moment when Balitsky, at the head of a convoy of fuel tankers, personally delivers fuel along the entire land corridor to Crimea. He wouldn't lie to the President." 10/ We should look at gasoline prices in Crimea for the truth, suggests Yuri Baranchik: "If they have taken control of the highway, then the price of gasoline in Crimea should be 85 rubles, not 279." 11/ Prominent warblogger Rybar is also mystified by the claim and points out, reasonably enough, that "claiming something verbally doesn't mean it's true in practice". Instead, Rybar suggests, Balitsky is engaging in statistical manipulation to pull the wool over Putin's eyes: 12/ "We, along with our colleagues, the "Two Majors," are, to put it mildly, bewildered by the news that the R-280 "Novorossiya" highway is now under complete control, especially given the claim that "the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones has significantly decreased recently." 13/ "This situation brings to mind an interesting comparison: it's worth remembering that for the past three years, the Black Sea Fleet has also been reporting that the effectiveness of Ukrainian UAVs has been reduced to a minimum, "thanks to the actions of the Black Sea Fleet." 14/ "However, there was one small detail: this happened because the ships of the Black Sea Fleet simply retreated to Novorossiysk and are now acting as stationary launch platforms. 15/ "The consequences of this in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, and for shipping in general, are evident from the current enemy attacks. The same applies to the situation with Novorossiya:… 16/ …if the decrease in effectiveness is due to the fact that significantly fewer vehicles, gasoline tankers, and trucks are traveling on the road, and therefore there are fewer drone attacks, then this logic is hard to argue with. 17/ "Fewer drones? Fewer. Reduced effectiveness? Reduced. So, the statistics show exactly that, and everything else is, apparently, a consequence of the situation where even civilians now find it very difficult to travel on the highway, let alone regular supply trucks. 18/ "Indeed, the means of countering [drone attacks] are becoming more numerous, but there are still plenty of problems with creating mobile fire groups (MOGs), ranging from training to equipment, which is severely lacking in many regions. 19/ "Therefore, I would like to say that everything is fine, but when fuel is sold for 250+ rubles at gas stations in Crimea, it is definitely premature to talk about stable logistics. And it is better to adapt as soon as possible, rather than relying solely on statistics." 20/ 'Archangel Spetsnaz' asks: "How can the highway be considered safe when there are periodic attacks on trucks, even those belonging to marketplaces? In Sevastopol, for example, some grocery stores are having problems with the supply of basic meat products." 21/ "Yes, vehicles are passing through, and fuel is being delivered. But all of this is associated with a huge risk, which has led to an increase in prices, logistics costs, and insurance payments. 22/ "Therefore, to talk about complete control in this situation is not only incorrect but also dangerous for ordinary citizens who might believe it and travel on the road. 23/ "❗️The effectiveness of drones, as mentioned, is a rather vague concept. In reality, the number of attacks has decreased because fewer vehicles are traveling. This is a key factor that has influenced the reduction in the number of "Hornet" drones, which are now operating in the Belgorod region. 24/ "The problem exists, and efforts are being made to address it by strengthening military presence, introducing counter-drone systems, deploying automated turrets, and so on. 25/ "But all of this requires time, training, and equipment, which will eventually allow us to adapt to the threat of attacks." 26/ 'Remote Workers' Airlines', a Telegram channel for drone operators, wants to pose "One and only question to the governor: "Are you putting your reputation on the line, claiming everything is under control?" 27/ "I will believe it when this gentleman himself drives along the "Novorossiya" highway in both directions, using either a "Grad" MLRS or any other military equipment, and is not collected in body bags along the way. 28/ "Until then, I see that 2026 is becoming the year of hot air and reports... P.S.: I understand that one needs to learn from the opposition, but the experience should be in terms of logistics and conducting combat operations, not in terms of propaganda and reports." 29/ Vladimir Romanov likewise suggests that it's a particularly stupid example of official propaganda that damages the Russian government's credibility: "If Balitsky means control over the highway by Ukrainian Armed Forces' kamikaze drones, then he is not far from the truth." 30/ "In general, the tradition of Shoigu and Gerasimov to publicly report to the President information that is completely untrue is being scaled up and becoming a "tradition." 31/ "Such actions undermine public trust in the President. If the briefers are aiming for this goal, they are very successful." /end Sources: 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me 🔹 t.me