Putin’s road to ruin: Ukraine hits key Russian supply line with new drone campaign

War in UkrainePutin’s road to ruin: Ukraine hits key Russian supply line with new drone campaignUkrainian attacks on vehicles carrying critical supplies along the R-280 or “Novorossiya” highway have triggered a growing fuel crisis in occupied Crimea.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleRussian-occupied Crimea suffers fuel shortages after Ukrainian attacks01:15Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 12, 2026, 5:00 AM EDTBy Yuliya TalmazanA new Ukrainian campaign is turning Vladimir Putin’s main supply line into a road of ruin.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.A key highway linking southern Russia, occupied Crimea and other Ukrainian territories under the Kremlin’s control is at the center of a major drone offensive by Kyiv that is laying waste to Russian logistics and causing fuel stations to run dry.The 390-mile stretch, known as R-280 or “Novorossiya” (“New Russia”), is a crucial route for supplying Russian forces on the southern battlefields — as well as keeping the occupied territories supplied with fuel and food. But in recent weeks, the route has been snarled by Ukrainian attacks on vehicles carrying critical supplies, triggering a growing crisis on the tourism-dependent peninsula.Cars line up for fuel at a gas station in Saki, Crimea, earlier this month.Alexey Pavlishak / ReutersA fuel ‘lottery’ in CrimeaIt’s not clear if Kyiv’s plan for a “logistical lockdown” of Russian operations in this occupied Ukrainian territory could shift the overall dynamics of the four-year war, but it’s already turning into a public relations nightmare for the Kremlin as it faces growing domestic discontent. Frustrated residents and tourists have been sharing videos of interminable lines at gas stations, while local authorities in Crimea have turned to rationing their limited supplies as they admit they are not able to meet the demand.One video geolocated by NBC News sh...