Russia’s primary battlefield objective in 2024 will be to capture the remaining parts of Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts that are not already under its control. As a priority, Ukraine needs to stabilize the front lines in the region. However, Ukraine will never be safe until Russia loses control of Crimea. U.S. policymakers should recognize that Ukraine’s most direct path to victory is through Crimea, and they should arm, train, and equip Ukrainians accordingly. Russia’s war on Ukraine began with the annexation of Crimea, and it will end only when Ukraine regains control of Crimea. Specifically, U.S. policymakers should:
1. Rearm, supply and train the Ukrainian army in order to stabilize the front line in 2024 and prepare for a counter-offensive in 2025.
This should include, but certainly not be limited to, (1) a large. Amount of long-range firepower, such as a 190-mile version of the Buy Telemarketing Leads ATACMS, (2) additional air-launched cruise missiles from the. United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other countries, (3). F-16s and related munitions, (4) more infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, (5) mine clearance and. Engineering equipment, (6) more air defense systems, and (7) a steady stream of 155mm artillery and 120mm mortar rounds. In the meantime, the United States and its allies should continue to train tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops in mobile warfare.
2. Enable Ukraine to pursue a Crimea-first strategy.
This strategy means providing Ukraine with the weapons it needs to: (1) destroy all bridges connecting to the peninsula, (2) make bases in Crimea uninhabitable for Russian forces, and (3) strike key facilities within the Russian Federation, especially along the Black Sea coast.
3. Isolate Crimea from Russia.
Crucially, Ukraine needs to be able to destroy Valhalla Civic Auditorium the Kerch Bridge. The bridge was built by Russia after the annexation of Crimea and includes a four-lane highway and a double-track railway. Other bridge targets include the Henichesk, Syvash and Chonhar bridges, which connect occupied Crimea to Kherson Oblast.
4. Target Russia bases.
There are several naval and air force bases in occupied Crimea, Russia’s Rostov Oblast, and the Krasnodar Territory. Russia has even established a naval base in occupied Abkhazia, Georgia. The United States and its allies need to arm Ukraine to make these bases uninhabitable for Russian troops.