Crimea’s Return to the Frontline of the Ukraine War

Zuzana Moscakova, Chief Reporter          Vanesa Zackova, Political Editor

Once thought to be safely out of Kyiv’s reach, Russian-occupied Crimea is now under growing pressure. A wave of Ukrainian drone strikes and covert operations has turned the peninsula into one of the most contested areas of the war, exposing the limits of Moscow’s control.

For much of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Crimea was treated as a secure rear base, far removed from the fighting in the east and south. Since its illegal annexation in 2014, the Black Sea peninsula has been heavily fortified and used as a launchpad for air strikes, naval operations and military logistics. For years, it appeared largely untouchable. That sense of safety has now crumbled and disappeared.

In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up and intensified its campaign of long-range drone attacks and special operations inside occupied Crimea. Russian airfields, radar stations and air defence systems have increasingly come under fire, signalling a clear change in how Kyiv is approaching the war. Rather than focusing solely on frontline battles, Ukraine is now striking deeper, bringing Crimea firmly back into focus.

One of the highest profile targets has been Belbek airbase near Sevastopol, a major hub for Russian fighter jets and air defence units. During a series of overnight strikes, Ukrainian drones reportedly hit advanced radar systems, surface-to-air missile installations and several military aircraft, including MiG fighter jets. Ukrainian officials say the damage runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars, claims that Russia has publicly played down.

Moscow insists that its air defences intercepted most of the incoming drones and that key facilities remain operational. However, satellite images and independent assessments suggest a more complex picture. Repeated explosions at airfields, ammunition depots and command centres across the peninsula have become increasingly difficult to dismiss, particularly as footage and eyewitness accounts rapidly spread online.

These attacks highlight how Ukraine’s military capabilities have evolved and changed. Since the early days of the war, Kyiv has invested heavily in domestically produced drones designed to travel long distances and slip past air defence systems. Paired with detailed intelligence and careful planning, they have allowed Ukraine to strike targets far beyond the traditional battlefield and challenge Russian control in places once thought secure.

The impact goes beyond physical damage. Crimea plays an important and central role in Russia’s military presence in the Black Sea, supporting missile launches against Ukrainian cities and enabling naval operations that affect regional shipping routes. By hitting airbases and radar systems, Ukraine is forcing Russia to rethink how it defends territory it once considered firmly under control.

There is also a psychological effect. Russian forces stationed in Crimea now operate under constant threat, while the idea of the peninsula as a stable and permanently integrated part of Russia is steadily eroding. For Ukraine, these strikes reinforce its long-held position that Crimea remains occupied territory and a legitimate military target.

Still, the risks are real. Russia continues to retaliate with missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, often hitting energy facilities and civilian areas. Each successful Ukrainian strike deep behind Russian lines raises the possibility of further escalation, increasing the danger for civilians on both sides.

Politically, Crimea’s return to the spotlight complicates any talk of negotiations. Ukraine has made clear that the peninsula is central to any future settlement, while the Kremlin views its control as non-negotiable. As fighting spreads into areas once considered quiet, hopes for a quick or straightforward resolution continue to fade.

What is undeniably clear is that Crimea is no longer the safe stronghold it once was. Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into occupied territory has reshaped the conflict, challenging Russian confidence and reshaping assumptions about distance, defence and control. As the conflict drags on, the struggle over Crimea looks set to intensify, with consequences that stretch well beyond the peninsula itself.

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