Overview

• Ukrainian commandos are launching surprise assaults on Russian forces in Crimea, with recent missions including a daring raid on critical Russian defence installations by a team of more than 30 commandos using jet skis.
• These attacks, part of a broader campaign involving drones and missiles, have succeeded in disabling Russian air-defence systems and damaging naval repair yards in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
• Simultaneously, Russian forces have amplified their assaults on Eastern Ukraine, targeting Ukrainian-held towns like Nikopol and Kryvyi Rih with missiles and drones, causing civilian casualties.
• The United States' recent delivery of ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine could escalate the conflict further, while the Ukrainian military stands firm on its intent to regain control of Crimea.
• The raids not only degrade Russian forces, but also have a considerable psychological impact, as evidenced by declining Russian tourism in Crimea and increasing offers of information to Ukrainian intelligence from Crimean residents.