- Ukraine looks set to begin its military operation to de-occupy Crimea, comments from a top Ukrainian defence official have suggested.
- In recent weeks, repeated attacks have been reported on the peninsula – including a blast which damaged the Kerch Bridge linking Crimea with Russia.
- Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014 and is a key target of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
- Experts from the RAND Corporation also acknowledged taking Crimea back militarily would be “difficult”.
- Zelenskyy visits troops near the frontline in Bakhmut, as part of efforts to boost morale.
Ukraine looks set to begin its military operation to de-occupy Crimea, comments from a top Ukrainian defence official have suggested. Asked by journalists about the possible entry of Ukrainian forces into Crimea, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s defence ministry said this would happen “soon”.
Kyrylo Budanov, who was speaking to TSN, did not specify a particular date but said this would happen in the near future. Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014 and is a key target of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
In recent weeks, repeated attacks have been reported on the peninsula – including a blast which damaged the Kerch Bridge linking Crimea with Russia.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive was launched in early June but has been relatively slow-moving so far – although the momentum of the Ukrainian advance appears to have picked up in recent days. Taking back the Black Sea peninsula is part of Ukraine’s plan for its counteroffensive – but what would it take?
The Crimean Peninsula remains Vladimir Putin’s biggest foreign policy trophy, and so he will be unlikely to give it up without a fierce fight. An article by experts from the Council on Foreign Relations describes taking back Crimea as an “ambitious undertaking”. “Only two roads connect the Ukrainian mainland with Crimea; one crosses a narrow isthmus and the other could easily be cut by knocking out a vulnerable bridge,” it says. It also points out that satellite images have indicated a major Russian build-up of defensive fortifications on the peninsula. These will make it trickier for Ukraine to break through Intelligence expert Louise Jones told Forces News that recapturing Crimea is more similar to taking an island than to another land.
The neck of land connecting Ukraine with Crimea is “very slim” and “susceptible to being waterlogged”, she said. A Ukrainian offensive here would need significant support from both air and naval assets, she said. Experts from the RAND Corporation also acknowledged taking Crimea back militarily would be “difficult”.
However, they suggested Ukraine could use explosive uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to neutralize Russian military power in Crimea. The technology can sink warships and destroy maritime infrastructure, they said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a journey to near the frontline in eastern Ukraine, where his forces are trying to press forward.
The Ukrainian president met troops and looked at maps in a dimly lit, windowless room near Bakhmut. He said he was there to “congratulate our warriors” on Special Operations Forces Day. Although he said he couldn’t reveal details on their operations, he described them as “truly heroic”.
Mr. Zelenskyy has made repeated trips to the frontlines as part of efforts to boost morale. Ukrainian forces have mounted a new push around Bakhmut in their counteroffensive. The city was fiercely contested for months before being taken by Russian-backed forces.
(With inputs from agencies)
