How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea

The focus of the conflict in Ukraine was the Fear of escalation On the Crimean Peninsula. It is a Kremlin policy to play the Nuclear Bluff CardIt is provoking fears among Westerners that Russia could be elected president Vladimir Putin He may use his position to get out of the way. Nuclear weapons — especially if Ukraine mounts an offensive on Crimea.

A potential southerly offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (or ZSU) could place the Ukrainian Armed Forces within striking distance of the peninsula, with Kyiv having retaken large swathes of their country. Debate now rages around the world on how Ukraine can reclaim Crimea — and if the price will be worth it, despite Moscow’s bluffs about what it will do if it “feels cornered.” In truth, the Kremlin is not cornered, but its myth of Russia’s right to conquest could be Moscow’s own downfall.

What Crimea means for Russia

Crimea is the ultimate prize of Putin’s hardline rule. This peninsula is the focal point of Russian politics Imperial nationalismIt has plagued the minds for a long time of a nation that lives in a world where conquest is still a reality. It is the imperialist mind of the Russian ultranationalist, Russia has been cheated by post-colonial nations that are independent from the Kremlin’s will. Even anti-Putinists are able to do so. Opposition figures Alexei Navalny views Crimea rightfully as theirs,

Russia’s 2014 invasion and annexation of the Crimean peninsula thus represented a return of empire, and for nationalists, losing it would mean losing what is left of Imperial glory. Russian forces in Ukraine are likely to fight harder for their so-called unsinkable plane carrier than they have fought for control of other occupied regions.

The Invasion begins in Crimea

Russia leased from Ukraine the naval base at Sevastopol (Crimea) before the war. The appearance of Unmarked green troops in Crimea in 2014 marked the start of Russia’s first invasion as they took the peninsula.

The region’s ethnic minorities, like the Crimean Tatars and other Crimean Tatars, continue to be recognized. Persecuted. After Stalinist, Tatars were already in danger of demographic collapse. Purges and deportations Putin’s policies are similar to those that were used to reinstall ethnic Russians in Crimea. As you know, the Kremlin has been torturing and jailing Crimean Tatar opposition members. HRW.Russian colonists have taken over the homes of those who managed to flee their homes in 2014.

Close to 1,000,000 Russian colonists Could move onto the peninsula in violation of international law Transfers of population. Moscow claims that these new populations are what the Kremlin considers to be their members “persecuted Russian speakers” Despite the fact that many of them are part of the expanding contingent of military personnel, FSB and their families who reside on the peninsula, they are still an important part of the larger contingent.

2022 is a turning point

When Moscow consolidated control over Crimea, for years they told the Russian populace that it was untouchable — it is under Russian control, and Ukraine has no means of striking it. The ZSU took control of Crimea in 2022. attacked key Russian airbases.

Putin couldn’t conceal the shock these attacks caused, nor the mass panic of Russians who left the peninsula. Half of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet aircraft Since August last year, they have been damaged or destroyed as their red line crosses over striking Crimea. “Russian territory,” was repeatedly violated.

Kyiv also hit the jackpot, a major strategic and morale win. Kerch Bridge, which is considered a symbol of Russia’s return to the region and was built illegally. The bridge was damaged and is unlikely to be fully functional until then. Late 2023The Ukraine seized a major supply route for the Russian troops in Crimea.

Maximum Pressure through a Southern Offensive

Over the last few weeks, the U.S., originally skeptical about Ukraine regaining Crimea, has suggested that Kyiv could have the opportunity Capabilities to take the peninsula. Washington has been open to the idea of supporting Ukraine in this endeavor. NATO members have now made plans to supply Ukraine with modern weaponry, such as tanks jetsThe ZSU might also be able to use combined arm operations across other occupied territories.

Defense officials have told Zelensky’s administration to fall back into more entrenched defensive lines in the Donbas region instead of sending fresh troops into Bakhmut, as the situation at that site remains critical, and the city isn’t as strategic Russia claims that it is. Instead, they told Kyiv that it should prepare for Plans for a southern offensiveThe most likely target will be Melitopol, which is an important city.

A ZSU offensive against Melitopol would place Crimea within range of HIMARS or other long-range rocket system, which both the UK & U.S. confirmed would be possible. Send Later In the year. Liberating Melitopol would also challenge the Kremlin’s invasion plans, as it would cut Russian forces in half from the south and the east, forcing Putin to prioritize either holding what his forces control in the Donbas region, or protecting Crimea.

Attrition

They can make use of the shrinking operation area to their advantage if Kyiv is able to liberate Zaporizhzhia. A smaller area of operations would mean more concentrated Russian forces. This would enable them to strike more successfully in Crimea, as was the case with the ZSU’s condensed garrison in Kherson.

Since the strikes in Crimea, Russia’s prized Black Sea Fleet has Not as often toward Ukraine’s coastline. This shows the attacks have put Russia’s fleet on edge, and there is less likely to be air support for Russian forces in the south — especially after the loss of numerous fixed-wing aircraft in Crimea.

Kyiv’s strategy so far in this war includes attrition operations on supply lines, fuel and ammo depots, and command and control posts. More of these operations would be possible on the peninsula if the ZSU could mount a southern offensive.

Pressure on Crimea — without even putting Ukrainian boots on the ground there — would put garrisoned Russian forces in a precarious situation. They have two options: they can attempt to hold the peninsula with little resupply or face daily bombardment; or, they can choose to withdraw from the situation.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed its support Back channels with the Russian Ministry of Defense, and Washington says the Kremlin’s nuclear saber-rattling died down as their supposed Red lines were crossed multiple times. NATO heads of state signaling they will provide Ukraine with long-range rocket systems, tanks, and potentially jets, show they believe the risk of nuclear war has died down — Russia’s threats no longer hold weight. China also confirmed the same. Expressions of disdain The idea that Putin could order a nuclear strike to end a war which is already unpopular.

The war in Ukraine started with the invasion and annexation of Crimea, and it will have to end with the peninsula’s liberation. Moscow uses the unsinkable aircraft carrier to launch its operations against Kyiv. Therefore, the country will never be free until Russian Forces have been expelled from Crimean Peninsula.

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Julian McBride was born in New York as a journalist and forensic analogist. He documents and reports on the suffering of people affected by wars, geopolitics and conflicts around the globe. He also tells stories about war victims whose stories are not being heard. Julian is the director of Reflections of War Initiative, an anthropological NGO that aims to share the stories of victims of war through art therapy. As a former Marine, he uses this technique not only to help heal PTSD but also to share people’s stories through art, which conveys “the message of the brutality of war better than most news organizations.”