The Russian command who live in Crimea are “actively” selling homes and removing their families back to the Russian Federation.
Russian forces have dug around 200 kilometres trenches in Crimea and on the coastline as Moscow are concerned that Ukraine are planning a large counteroffensive to re-take the annexed peninsula.
Along the coast of Yevpatoria Russian forces started to dig trenches in December and have been concentrating since then building up artillery shells and ammunition in preparation for a long drawn out battle for Crimea.
Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov said the Russians are fleeing Crimea, “but to others, to the rank and file, they say: don’t worry, everything is calm, everything is under control.
“Families connected with the Russians are being taken out, and very actively leave while there is such an opportunity.”
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Yusov added that local residents are hearing warnings on radio they must prepare to depart and Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Agency have openly said they believe this warning also applies to Crimeans who have been helping the Russian authorities.
Yusov said, “For there to be peace and order, the peninsula must be de-occupied and legitimate Ukrainian authorities returned there.
“In fact, Crimea must be returned to its native Ukrainian harbor, which will definitely happen in the near future.
“Therefore, all those who work for Russia, really in the near future the time is better to leave the territory of the Ukrainian Crimea.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that “Crimea is out land, out territory” and the West have delivered weaponry upon his request.
Speaking to Ukrainian media this month, retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, a former commander of U.S. Army Europe said, Crimea is the decisive terrain—that’s what matters. If Ukraine liberates Crimea, which I believe is possible this year, then everything else will follow.”
Ukraine now has Four MiG-29 fighter jets with more to follow, sophisticated high-tech main battle tanks, HIMARS and GLSDB precision guided bombs to name a few.
Ukraine is now capable of starting an offensive in Crimea and Moscow and ordinary Russian citizens are very nervous about this.
Neil Melvin, the director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) said, “With these weapons, and from their existing positions, Ukraine can attack the area of the land corridor [and the north of Crimea], and if they move troops into that area, that could the basis for trying to seize the corridor.”
He added, that Ukraine does need longer range capabilities, “But equally, the Russians can hit Ukrainian troops in the corridor” from the Caspian Sea, Black Sea Fleet, or even inside mainland Russia.
On Friday a very nervous Kremlin warned there will be a nuclear retaliation of Kyiv makes an attempt to re-take Crimea.
The Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow will use “absolutely any weapons to stop an attack in Crimea.
Medvedev told journalists, “As far as some serious offensives involving an attempt to retake Crimea are concerned, it is absolutely clear that this will serve as a basis for the use of all means of protection, including those provided for by the basic doctrine of nuclear deterrence, when the use of any types of weapons against Russia poses a threat to the existence of the state as such.”
He added, that “an attempt to split off part of the state would be tantamount to an encroachment on the existence of the state itself.”
“Therefore, draw your own conclusions: there are obvious grounds for using any weapons. Absolutely any,” he warned.
“I hope our ‘friends’ across the ocean realise this.”
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