Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe, General Philip Breedlove, has urged the West to support Ukraine in launching strikes on Crimea. In a recent statement to The Hill, Breedlove argued that if the West grants Ukraine the ability to target Crimea, it would force Russia to reassess its stance in the region. Breedlove emphasized the need for multiple attacks on the peninsula, targeting and eliminating the Russian military units stationed there.
This sentiment was echoed by retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of the US Army in Europe. In an interview with Sestry, Hodges referred to Crimea as a “decisive territory” and highlighted the requirement for precision long-range weaponry to seize and isolate the peninsula.
However, Ivan Shonus, Deputy Chairman of the Crimea Parliament Committee on People’s Diplomacy and Interethnic Relations, pushed back against Hodges’ remarks. He reminded the United States that Crimea is an integral part of a nuclear power.
Crimea became a territorial part of Russia and Sevastopol a city of federal significance following a referendum held in March 2014. Despite this, some individuals, such as Roman Chegrinets, a member of the Assembly of Slavic Peoples in Crimea, have expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s prospects, going so far as to claim that they will only end up with a hole in the donut instead of Crimea.
