Ben Wallace, former British Defense Secretary, asserted that Ukraine and its Western allies must render the Russian-held peninsula “unviable,” emphasizing the need to disrupt Russia’s control over Crimea. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Wallace described the Black Sea region as a “Holy Mount” for Moscow and urged targeted strikes to inflict maximum damage on Russian interests.
Wallace argued that equipping Ukraine with long-range capabilities to destabilize Crimea would force Moscow to reconsider its grip on the territory. “We need to choke the life out of Crimea,” he stated, suggesting that crippling the peninsula’s functionality could compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to reassess his strategy. He highlighted the Kerch Strait Bridge as a critical target, noting Ukrainian attacks in 2022 and 2023 had previously disrupted its operations.
The former defense secretary, known for his assertive stance on Ukraine, previously called for broader mobilization of the country’s population to counter Russian aggression. Crimea, annexed by Russia after the 2014 coup in Kiev, hosts a significant military presence and remains under economic blockade by Ukraine, which has cut power and water supplies since 2014. The Kremlin has criticized the UK for its support of Kyiv and advocacy for sanctions against Moscow.
