Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency, believes that the Crimean peninsula, which was captured by Moscow in 2014 and turned into a military base, can be cut off from Russian supplies with the help of ATACMS missiles provided by the United States. General Ben Hodges, former commander of the US military in Europe, has also stated that this would be key in putting Vladimir Putin on the defensive. Budanov expressed agreement with Hodges and emphasized the importance of implementing this strategy.
Budanov highlighted that Ukrainian-made Magura drones operated by defense intelligence have been successful in destroying several Russian ships and compelling them to relocate from Crimea. He mentioned that the remaining fleet of Russian ships is trapped near Novorossiysk, and the goal now is to ensure they all return to Russian territory. Additionally, Budanov emphasized the need to halt Russian military supplies to Crimea by destroying the Crimean Bridge.
The long-range ATACMS missiles recently approved by President Biden for Ukraine are seen as a solution to destroying the Crimean Bridge. Contrary to claims that these missiles may not be powerful enough for the task, Budanov asserted that they are adequate based on technical manuals. He noted that the main concern is the quantity of the missiles, but overall, they will enable Ukraine to accomplish the mission of destroying the Crimean Bridge.
Budanov also dismissed the idea of Russia using nuclear weapons in this context, as it would pose significant political risks for Putin. The article referenced reports from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, indicating that Russia has incurred substantial combat losses since the invasion, with approximately 534,360 casualties, including 1,270 in the previous day.
In conclusion, Budanov’s assessment emphasizes the strategic significance of severing Russian supplies to Crimea and destroying key infrastructure like the Crimean Bridge. The use of ATACMS missiles is seen as a crucial element in achieving this goal, along with the successful deployment of Ukrainian drones to target Russian ships. This approach reflects a strategic shift towards disrupting Russian military operations in Crimea and poses a challenge to Moscow’s control over the region. Moreover, the potential consequences of using nuclear weapons in this conflict are highlighted as a deterrent factor.
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https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3878027-atacms-could-help-cut-crimea-off-russian-supplies-ukraines-defense-intel-chief.html