Soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces (Photo: Reuters).
Izet Gdanov, deputy commander of one of Ukraine's assault battalions, said that although there are three separate land routes to Crimea, the Ukrainian Armed Forces' (UAF) attempt to regain control of the Crimean peninsula will also involve the sea.
"There are three land routes to Crimea, Kalanchak, Chongar, Chaplynka. On the one hand, this is relatively convenient for Russian forces to deploy defenses because the peninsula is not very large. On the other hand, they face certain difficulties in supplying Crimea because Crimea is logistically very difficult for Russia," Gdanov told Crimea.Realities.
"Access to Crimea will be not only through the 'land corridor' but also from the sea. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov will be used (to regain Crimea). That is, the (Ukrainian) defense forces will enter Crimea at the same time," the deputy commander of the Ukrainian battalion added.
Crimea’s terrain makes landings on the peninsula more complicated. Russian forces are also heavily mined in the area, and each minefield is different, Gdanov said.
“They are actively laying mines. They lay them so deep that it is impossible to even identify them with thermal imaging,” Mr. Gdanov added.
According to Gdanov, Russia's control of Ukrainian territory "starts from Crimea and will end in Crimea." His battalion is being formed in southern Ukraine, with a particular focus on the direction of Crimea.
Crimea peninsula in southern Ukraine (Photo: BBC).
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly vowed to retake the strategic Black Sea region of Crimea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that the conflict that began in Crimea will end in Crimea, implying that Kiev will do everything it can to regain control of the peninsula from Russia.
"Russian forces are panicking and digging trenches along almost the entire coast of the Crimean peninsula, as seen in satellite images," Tamila Tasheva, the Ukrainian president's senior representative for Crimea, told Radio NV.
In an interview with the German publication Bild this month, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced Kiev's plan to regain control of the Crimean peninsula by 2024.
Minister Umerov is confident that this is Ukraine's strategic goal. He also noted that Ukraine is developing military strategies that could lead to Russia's withdrawal from Crimea.
Most recently, the Ukrainian air force announced the destruction of Novocherkassk, a large landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, near Feodosiia, Crimea in a raid in the early morning of December 26.
Crimea is a peninsula located in southern Ukraine, holding a strategic position on the Black Sea. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a controversial referendum.
The Crimean Peninsula in the Black Sea has become a key area for Russia to launch its military campaign in Ukraine. From Crimea, Russia has controlled a large area of territory in southern Ukraine. Crimea still serves as a base from which Russia deploys aircraft and warships close to Ukraine.
The future status of the peninsula is expected to be a key issue in any deal to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Moscow has demanded that Ukraine recognise the “new territorial reality”, meaning Russian control over Crimea and the territories annexed by Russia last September, as a condition for peace. Meanwhile, Kiev has ruled out any peace talks with Moscow until Russia withdraws all its troops from territories claimed by Ukraine, including Crimea.
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