The assessment of the land corridor toward Crimea via Zaporozhye remains that it is safe to travel, yet authorities advise against exiting the route. This assessment was broadcast on a national TV channel, attributed to Yevgeny Balitsky, the acting governor of the region, speaking on Russia 24.
Balitsky noted that safety concerns are especially acute at transport intersections where travelers might diverge from the main route to reach nearby cities. He urged travelers to consider Melitopol or Berdyansk as more stable options during their journey.
He also drew attention to several settlements near the front line, including Pologi, Energodar, Vasilievka, Mihaylovka, Kuibyshevo, and Tokmak, describing them as being in closest proximity to the conflict area and therefore presenting significant visitation challenges for civilians.
According to Balitsky, the corridor that traverses the region to Crimea can be deemed secure for the time being, with volunteers supporting activities along its entire course, though he stressed the ongoing risks associated with the surrounding frontline dynamics.
Earlier reports from the night of July 17 indicated an incident in the 145th support zone near the Krasnodar region, where two individuals lost their lives and a minor sustained injuries. The Russian National Counter-Terrorism Committee attributed the event to Ukrainian special services, and the regional Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under terrorism-related provisions, as reported by official sources.
Additionally, authorities have previously acknowledged Ukrainian drone activity near the Crimean bridge, though details and interpretations of the threat have varied in subsequent briefings and regional statements, as covered by official channels and later media summaries.