Russian army transports military equipment from Crimea through Kherson region

The Russian army is carrying out a large-scale transfer of equipment from the temporarily occupied Crimea through the Kherson region in the direction of Taganrog, probably with further deployment in the Kursk region.

This was reported by the advisor to the mayor of Mariupol Petro Andriushchenko.

According to him, a convoy of more than 40 trucks with ammunition and personnel, at least 10 self-propelled artillery pieces in "new" condition, and one anti-aircraft missile system were spotted. The vehicles bear tactical markings in the form of a double triangle.

The convoy is moving through Mariupol toward Novoazovsk and then to Taganrog, where, according to sources, the equipment is being loaded onto railroad platforms. The final destination is likely Kursk region, which may indicate a build-up of forces in the Sumy sector.

This is the largest movement of Russian equipment over the past six months and the first time that new self-propelled artillery systems have been deployed from Crimea, rather than refurbished or used vehicles, as was the case previously. According to analysts, such actions may indicate that the Kremlin is preparing for a new phase of escalation or the formation of a strike group near Ukraine's northern border.

In addition, the Russian army has almost no combat-ready warships left in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Due to the threat of attacks from Ukrainian forces, the main missile carriers were moved from the Black Sea to the port of Novorossiysk. Currently, only small patrol boats and logistics vessels remain in Crimean waters, unable to perform serious combat missions. In particular, we are talking about Mongoose and Raptor boats, which Russia uses for patrolling, counter-sabotage activities, checking the waters for mines and ensuring control over the coastal zone.

This retreat of the Russian fleet was the result of regular strikes by Ukrainian drones on military facilities on the peninsula. One such strike took place in May, when the SBU drones hit the ammunition depots of the 126th Separate Guards Brigade of the Russian Coastal Defense. This unit is located near the village of Perevalne in Crimea. The strike destroyed ammunition stocks, and there were killed and wounded among the personnel guarding the depot.

Анна Бальчінос