‘Island surrounded by war’: Crimeans panic amid Ukrainian attacks

Key Points:

• Residents near Crimea's administrative capital, Simferopol, face severe fuel shortages, with long queues at gas stations and inflated prices, reflecting the broader crisis on the peninsula.
• Ukrainian drone attacks since mid-May have targeted supply routes, fuel depots, and military infrastructure in Crimea, severely disrupting logistics and illustrating the region's vulnerability despite heavy Russian militarization.
• The strategic Crimean Bridge and Chongar entry points have been damaged by drone strikes, limiting traffic flow and complicating supply chains, with Russia forced to reroute and restrict heavy vehicles.
• The ongoing conflict has devastated Crimea's tourism and agriculture sectors, while Crimean Tatars face intensified repression, including arrests and disappearances, amid Moscow's tight control.
• Food shortages have emerged due to disrupted supply lines, with staples like flour and canned goods disappearing from shelves, exacerbating hardships for local residents already struggling under economic and political pressures.