Under the cover of darkness, Ukrainian forces are intensifying their drone operations targeting Russian military assets in Crimea, signaling a new phase in the conflict. Members of the Sparta company, part of Ukraine’s 422 Regiment, have been launching a continuous stream of long-range strike drones, including the locally developed “Zozulya” model, capable of carrying explosive warheads of up to 50 kilograms over hundreds of kilometers.

These sustained drone campaigns are part of Ukraine’s broader strategic offensive announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky, termed the "40-day operation," which aims to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiating an end to the war. The operation focuses heavily on disrupting Russia’s logistical and military infrastructure in occupied Crimea and adjacent southern regions, with intensified strikes against oil refineries, supply routes, bridges, and military vessels.

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), responsible for this drone offensive, recorded approximately 4,000 mid-range drone launches in May alone, contributing to what Ukrainian commanders describe as a “logistics lockdown” on Russian-occupied territories. Despite comprising only about 2 percent of Ukraine’s total armed forces, the SBS has successfully targeted key Russian defenses, including advanced air defense systems like the Volna Kupol Garant, which once threatened Ukrainian satellite communications.

Lieutenant “Beast,” commander of the Sparta company within the 422nd Regiment, highlighted the evolution of the drone technology since its introduction last summer. “From 103 drones used, we have destroyed 94 targets,” he said, describing the drones as precise weapons akin to surgical instruments. The drones are remotely piloted through video feeds transmitted via Starlink terminals embedded in the aircraft, enabling operators to execute targeted strikes against strategic infrastructure such as aircraft hangars and moving military trains.

The regiment's operational area includes a stretch of the so-called “land bridge” to Crimea through the occupied city of Berdiansk. Over recent months, Ukrainian forces have systematically degraded Russian air defense capabilities along this supply route, forcing some systems to retreat closer to the Black Sea coast. The 422 Regiment’s drones are equipped with countermeasures designed to evade missile and anti-aircraft fire, allowing them to neutralize priority targets effectively.

In addition to Crimea, the 422nd UAV Regiment, sometimes referred to as “Luftwaffe,” operates in the Zaporizhzhia region to disrupt enemy logistics. Its commander, Major Mykola Kolesnyk, explained the unit’s role in halting railway traffic and targeting cargo ships transporting weapons and stolen grain through the port of Berdiansk. Kolesnyk noted that the regiment’s provocative name was initially intended as a sarcastic response to Germany’s limited military aid early in the conflict.

Recent strikes have resulted in power outages across occupied territories—including parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia—following attacks on electricity substations. Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones struck the Zatoka shipyard, damaging two military vessels and a cargo ferry, while additional attacks targeted the Ichki railway bridge and ferries critical to Russian troop and supply movements. These cumulative strikes have significantly disrupted Moscow’s ability to sustain its forces in southern Ukraine.

For commanders like Beast, who hails from now-occupied Berdiansk, the campaign carries personal weight. He described the ongoing blockade as a direct response to the distressing circumstances faced by residents under occupation, including friends trapped in the city and others who have defected. Ukrainian officials credit cooperation with British and American intelligence for improving the identification and targeting of Russian air defense systems, enhancing the effectiveness of their operations.

As Ukraine’s drone offensive escalates, the campaign underscores the growing role of unmanned technology in the conflict and reflects Kyiv’s determination to challenge Russian control over Crimea and its southern supply lines through sustained, precision strikes.