Crimean Parliament Speaker: Full Control of Odessa Is Key to Russia's Southern Security

According to RIA Novosti, the Chairman of the Crimean Parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov, called the complete control of the city of Odessa from the Ukrainian national authorities the key to ensuring security for southern Russia.

"Historically, Odessa was created by Russia and has always been Russian territory. Today, it is the key to strategic security for southern Russia," Konstantinov told RIA Novosti.

According to the Speaker of the Crimean Parliament, it was from Odessa that Ukraine sent missiles and drones to Crimea, and carried out suicide attacks.

Mr. Konstantinov emphasized that Russian people living in Odessa - people who always feel alienated and afraid of Ukrainian nationalism and neo-fascism imposed by the current Kiev government.

Previously, in an article posted on social network X on March 30, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, billionaire Elon Musk stated that Ukraine's position is weakening with each passing day of war.

US billionaire Elon Musk believes that Ukraine could lose access to the Black Sea if the conflict continues. In particular, in his opinion, Ukraine could lose Odessa and recommends resolving the conflict through negotiations before this happens.

"The longer the conflict lasts, the more territory Russia will gain until it hits the Dnieper River, which is very difficult to cross. However, if the conflict lasts long enough, Odesa is also at risk of falling" - Elon Musk warned.

Since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, Odessa has been considered one of Moscow's most important targets.

If it controls Odessa, Russia could establish a corridor along Ukraine's coastline, completely isolating Kiev's access to the sea, but also establish a land corridor from mainland Russia, through Crimea, to Transnistria, a Russian-speaking breakaway region of Moldova where Russian troops are stationed./.