Targeting Crimea is the key to ending the war with Russia | Lieutenant General Ben Hodges
The war in Ukraine has been raging for more than a year, since Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula in February 2022. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and destabilized the region and the world. Despite international sanctions and diplomatic pressure, Russia has shown no sign of withdrawing from Crimea or ending its aggression against Ukraine.
But there may be a way to end this war, according to Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, a former commander of the US Army in Europe and a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. In a recent interview with Times Radio, Hodges argued that targeting Crimea with long-range artillery and weapons could force Russia to abandon the peninsula and negotiate a peaceful settlement.
Why Crimea matters to Russia
Hodges explained that Crimea is the main strategic objective for Russia in this war, because it gives Moscow access to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and allows it to project power and influence in the region. Crimea also hosts the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet, which consists of dozens of warships, submarines, and aircraft.
“Russia abandoning Crimea will be a gigantic step towards ending this war because I think for Russia, Crimea is what it’s all about,” Hodges said. He added that Russia’s annexation of Crimea was illegal and violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which had been recognized by the international community since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
How Ukraine could target Crimea
Hodges suggested that Ukraine could use its long-range artillery and weapons, such as the Neptune anti-ship missile system, to strike Russian military targets and infrastructure in Crimea, and create a “no-go zone” for the Russian Navy. He said that Ukraine has the capability and the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that the US and its allies should support it with intelligence, training, and equipment.
“Ukraine could accomplish the ejection of Russia by targeting Crimea with long-range artillery and weapons,” Hodges said. He also warned that Russia could retaliate and that the West should be prepared to deter and defend against such a scenario.
What are the risks and benefits of targeting Crimea
Targeting Crimea would be a risky and controversial move, as it could escalate the war and provoke a strong response from Russia. Russia has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons if its vital interests are threatened, and has deployed advanced air defense systems and hypersonic missiles in Crimea. Russia also considers Crimea as part of its historical and cultural heritage, and has invested heavily in its development and integration.
However, targeting Crimea could also have some benefits, as it could weaken Russia’s military and political position in the region, and force it to reconsider its cost-benefit analysis of the war. It could also demonstrate Ukraine’s resolve and determination to reclaim its lost territory, and rally international support and solidarity for its cause.
Conclusion
The war in Ukraine is a complex and dangerous situation, that poses a threat to the security and stability of Europe and the world. Targeting Crimea is a bold and provocative strategy, that could either end the war or escalate it. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges believes that it is the key to ending the war with Russia, and that Ukraine should pursue it with the backing of the US and its allies. Whether this strategy will work or not, remains to be seen.
