US general calls for isolation of Crimea peninsula

General Ben Hodges, former Commander of the US Army in Europe, said in an interview with Newsweek magazine (USA) that the Crimean Peninsula must be isolated and unusable.

“Sometimes I hear from the Pentagon that the US wants to help push back the Russians. No, it’s not about pushing them back. We’re talking about a decisive terrain area. It’s about isolating Crimea and then providing Ukraine with enough long-range weapons. Then the Russian Air Force and Navy can’t defend Crimea,” General Ben Hodges said.

The general also advocated destroying the Crimean Bridge, which General Hodges said would change “the whole rules of the game.”

In General Hodges’ view, the main objective of the Ukrainian army’s ground counterattack is to cut off the land corridor to Crimea. Mr. Hodges said that long-range missiles and cluster munitions provided by the US are essential for this mission.

“This would also make it difficult for convoys transporting troops, ammunition or anything else to cross the Crimea bridge,” General Hodges asserted.

Previously, on August 24, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency, said that Ukraine pledged to conduct a future ground offensive in Crimea, as well as regain control of the territories.

Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the Crimean Peninsula has been a frequent target of attacks. Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Crimea, targeting the bridge from Taman to Kerch with both drones and unmanned boats, as well as long-range missiles supplied by the West.