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The important role Crimea plays in Russia’s Ukraine campaign

Kyiv civilians shelter in metro as Russian missiles rain on Ukraine's capital
  • Crimea's main strategic importance to Russia lies in its control of the Black Sea and access to warm-water ports.
  • Russia's claim to Crimea, based on historical settlement and a Russian-speaking majority, ignores Ukraine's historical ties and the forced displacement of local populations.
  • Trump's suggestion that Crimea should remain under Russian control disregards Ukraine's sovereignty and history.
  • Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014, facilitated by pre-existing naval presence, served as a crucial bridgehead for the full-scale invasion of 2022.
  • Control of Crimea now provides Russia with a logistical hub, air defence base, and command centre for the whole Ukrainian campaign.
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