Vladimir Putin is concerned about the potential loss of control over Crimea amid looming strikes planned by Ukraine in the Black Sea region.
Recent emergency exercises conducted by the Russian military high command focused on preparing for a potential sudden invasion by the Ukrainian armed forces in Crimea. This operation, named “Crimean Alert,” involved top commanders and senior reservists.
Russian access to Crimea, a strategically important territory seized from Ukraine, has been hampered by the destruction of critical road and rail bridges. Observers believe that Putin is apprehensive about losing Crimea, which would significantly impact him. According to a Western diplomatic source, this situation poses a serious threat to Putin.
Colonel Viktor Murakhovsky, a participant reservist, disclosed details of the war game, mentioning the Ukrainian military’s unconventional tactics, such as the use of drones, long-range precision weapons, and fast boats. Reports indicate that occupation authorities in the ports of Kerch and Feodosia have been instructed to evacuate important documents and equipment promptly, confirming Russian concerns.
An increasing number of pro-Putin officials are reportedly leaving Crimea for Russia as tensions escalate. There is a shortage of fuel in Crimea, prompting officials to claim sudden illnesses, take health leave, and depart for the Krasnodar region.
The resistance group ATESH warned that individuals who collaborated with the Crimean occupation are at risk, and Russian air defense may not protect them. Recent attacks by Ukraine on power plants and military airfields in Crimea have heightened tensions further.
Russia is also wary of a potential attempt to sabotage the Crimean Bridge, a critical infrastructure link. The region, once popular among Russian tourists, is now deserted due to security concerns. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has advised his people to avoid traveling to Russia, citing safety risks.
In Ukraine, a day of mourning is observed for the civilians killed in a recent missile strike by Putin’s forces in Kyiv. The death toll has risen to 30, with more bodies recovered from the wreckage. President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for targeting residential areas instead of seeking to end the conflict.
Violence continues to escalate, with reports of casualties in both Ukraine and Russia. Amid the ongoing conflict, tensions remain high, and the situation in Crimea remains volatile.
