“Fire-show goes on”: Ukrainian Intelligence drones strike Russian fuel tankers on supply corridor between occupied Berdiansk, Melitopol, and Crimea

May 29, 2026 - 14:10
“Fire-show goes on”: Ukrainian Intelligence drones strike Russian fuel tankers on supply corridor between occupied Berdiansk, Melitopol, and Crimea

The image shows a Ukrainian drone is approaching to a Russian vehicle. Source: HUR

Ukrainian Defense Intelligence drone teams have struck Russian fuel tankers, trucks, and a trailer along the Russian-held land corridor connecting Crimea to occupied Donetsk Oblast, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reports. Stretches of road between the occupied cities of Berdiansk, Melitopol, and Dzhankoi sit under the fire control of HUR's drone operators.

The Crimea–Donetsk corridor, carved out by Russian forces in spring 2022 along the Sea of Azov coast, is Moscow's main southern supply artery, linking occupied Crimea to Russian-held Donetsk Oblast through Mariupol, Berdiansk, and Melitopol.

Severing or degrading it has been a Ukrainian strategic objective throughout the war, with drone strikes systematically targeting fuel convoys, ammunition transports, and military repair traffic on the route.

Fuel tankers, trucks, and trailer in strike footage

HUR's Department of Active Actions, the agency's covert operations arm, released footage showing Russian fuel tankers, trucks, and a trailer burning after the strikes.

The targeted stretches lie deep behind the front, between cities Russian forces have held since spring 2022.

"Fire-show continues. More to come," the agency added.

Ukrainian-made drone, funded by citizens

The loitering munitions and Shark-M reconnaissance wings used to disrupt Russian logistics on the Zaporizhzhia axis were in part provided by the Serhii Prytula Charitable Foundation's "Shchelepy" ("Jaws") project, the agency notes. 

The Shark, developed during the war, can fly roughly 60 kilometers behind enemy lines to spot targets for Ukrainian strike systems. Euromaidan Press covered its first appearance in occupied Donetsk in early 2023.

Part of Ukraine's deep-strike push

Ukrainian drone teams across the General Staff, the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), and HUR have systematically degraded Russian logistics and command sites in occupied territory and Crimea over the past year, hitting command posts, fuel depots, and radar systems. 

Earlier, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that Ukraine launched a "Logistics Lockdown" program to scale strikes on Russian supply chains at operational depth.

The Ministry of Defense will allocate new funding to the most effective drone brigades and run large, centralized tenders for medium-range strike systems. Fedorov tied the push to a measurable drop in Russian assaults at the contact line.

The Crimea–Donetsk corridor, carved out by Russian forces in spring 2022 along the Sea of Azov coast, is Moscow's main southern supply artery, linking occupied Crimea to Russian-held Donetsk Oblast through Mariupol, Berdiansk, and Melitopol.