As part of Operation «Crimean Circuit Breaker Off», unmanned aerial systems have struck 13 energy infrastructure sites in the temporarily occupied territories over the past 72 hours. This was reported by Robert Brovdi, commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF). The strikes targeted the occupied parts of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions; the UAS also reported power cuts in a number of settlements.
Briefly about the main points
- The SBS reported that 13 power stations had been hit within 72 hours.
- Five electrical substations of various voltages were attacked in Mariupol.
- The energy infrastructure at the Zuivska Thermal Power Station in Zugres was hit.
- The «Henichesk» substation has been hit again.
- Since the beginning of July, the operation has targeted 177 energy-related targets.
Targets in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions
In the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, operators from the 2nd Battalion of the Wormbusters, part of the 414th Separate Brigade of the Special Forces Service, «The Birds of Magyar»… struck the energy infrastructure of the Zuivska Thermal Power Station in Zugres. In Mariupol, the 1st Separate Centre of the Special Forces attacked five substations: the 330 kV «Mirna», the 220 kV «Azovska-220», as well as three 110 kV substations — «Misto-6», «Misto-11» and «Misto-2».
In the Zaporizhzhia region, the 427th Separate Brigade «Rarog» reported that it had struck the 110 kV «Topoline» and «Volodarska» substations in Mykilsk. The 413th Separate SBS Regiment «Reid» attacked the «Makorti» substation near Berdiansk, whilst the 5th Battalion of the 414th Brigade attacked another substation in Berdiansk itself.
Repeated strikes on the Henichesk sector
In the occupied Kherson region, the 9th «Kairos» Battalion of the 414th Brigade struck the 150 kV «Henichesk» substation once again. The 413th «Reid» Regiment also reported another strike on this target. This unit separately attacked the 150 kV «Novooleksiivka» substation, located near the roads leading to the administrative border with Crimea.
Repeated damage to equipment can complicate repairs and the restoration of a stable power supply, as energy suppliers have to commit resources to restoration work once again. At the same time, damage to a facility does not necessarily mean its complete destruction: the consequences depend on the components affected and the network’s switching capabilities.
The operation targeted 177 energy-related targets
Pros. data According to the SBS command, between 1 July and 2 August, as part of Operation «Crimean Switch Off», 177 energy targets in the temporarily occupied territories were struck. As of 29 July, Robert Brovdi had reported 164 targets; this new series of strikes has increased that figure by 13.
The campaign previously also covered the occupied Crimea, Luhansk Oblast and Kherson Oblast, including the infrastructure of the power bridge from Kuban. The current phase is focused on facilities in Donetsk Oblast and the occupied south. The 220–330 kV substations form part of the high-voltage segment of the grid, whilst the 110–150 kV substations can facilitate regional transmission and distribution of electricity. Systemic damage to these facilities could restrict the operation of the occupying forces’ power system and complicate the supply of power to Russian forces.
