MOSCOW -

The strategic importance of Crimea for Russia goes beyond the geopolitical, historical, military, security and economic aspects, as well as the field of energy security and cooperation with other countries.

At the same time, it is considered one of the most important elements of Moscow's ambition to consolidate its position as an influential center in the emerging multicentric world, which in its opinion requires it to create constructive and meaningful relations in the first place with partner countries in the Middle East, the Caspian Sea region and the Black Sea, as well as in Asia within the framework of The BRICS group, especially with the massive growth of the role of the "Chinese factor" in the 21st century.

On this basis, it was not surprising that after its annexation of the peninsula in March 2014, Russia announced its intention to fully use the geostrategic potential of the peninsula and to continue developing the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

It is important to note that the strategic importance of the Caspian and Black Sea region is not confined only to neighboring countries, but also in the broader geopolitical sense of the development (Eurasian Union) as desired by Russia, and the implementation of major investments and projects within the BRICS group, which gives Crimea an additional strategic importance For the Kremlin.

Although Russia’s control of Crimea gave it additional power factors in the military dimension of the conflict with the West, and more so in the ongoing war with Ukraine, the gains that Moscow achieved through this included other, no less important dimensions, which, among other things, contributed to ensuring popular support. Wide for what you call a special military operation.

In the first place, it has led to an unprecedented rise in Russia in self-awareness and national feeling, which has been reflected in the popularity of President Vladimir Putin since he first came to power in 2000, with society largely united around political leadership.

The demographic situation in Russia also gained momentum due to the increase in population, including about two million ethnic Russians from the peninsula who became Russian citizens.


What is the scope of the military significance of Crimea?

The Cold War constituted an additional test of the importance of Crimea from the military angle, given the role played by the Black Sea Fleet in the confrontations in the Black and Mediterranean regions against the Sixth Fleet of NATO, and its role in securing the southern borders of the Soviet Union.

Currently, Crimea is Russia's "unsinkable aircraft carrier", which no naval power can dream of, as Russians proudly write about it on social networks.

Besides the military base of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 gave Moscow the possibility to use other ports on the peninsula (in particular Balaclava), the deep space communications center in Evpatoria, as well as a large number of military equipment, ships and infrastructure , whose ownership was transferred to the Russian Ministry of Defense, which ultimately contributed to strengthening both the defensive and offensive capabilities of the Russian forces.

Moreover, in the event of Ukraine joining NATO, Moscow, through the Crimea, would be able to encircle Ukraine on 3 sides with the Customs Union countries.

In general, Crimea plays a major role in enhancing Russia's tactical and strategic military capabilities, as it extends deep into the Azov Basin and the Black Sea from the north.

Its southwestern tip is located at a very small distance from the straits through which the Black Sea connects with the Mediterranean, thus securing a "warm military sea line" that extends to the ports of Tartus and Latakia in Syria, where the Russian base is.

It also has a special strategic importance in the vital southwest direction, and almost no one disputes that controlling it will determine the course and results of hypothetical hostilities in both the Black Sea and its neighboring countries, as the current war between Russia and Ukraine shows.


What is the place of Crimea in the conflict between Russia and the West in the war with Ukraine?

It is essentially a place where the competing geopolitical interests of Russia, Turkey, the United States and the European Union are concentrated.

As for Ukraine, its interest currently lies in the Kerch Strait, as a sea route leading to the ports of the Azov Sea in Mariupol, Berdyansk and Geneshesk, and the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea between the Crimea, in addition to the general problem of Black Sea security.

As for Russia, the Crimea, thanks to its strategic location, plays a major role in giving it greater confidence in the comprehensive confrontation with the West, especially if the semi-permanent geopolitical challenge is taken into account, represented by the ruin of 3 NATO countries (Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria) on the Black Sea, and the challenge of Additional concerns the participation of two adversaries of Moscow (Ukraine and Georgia) in the so-called NATO Partnership for Peace programme.

Russia also believes that Crimea provides it with an important logistical and informational support for its forces in their operations inside Ukrainian territory, allowing them to achieve their goals, and reducing to the minimum the concerns that southern Russia remains practically exposed to the threats coming from the Black Sea.


What is the economic importance of Crimea?

The accession of Crimea to Russia caused it to acquire a large part of the economic zone that was formerly belonging to Ukraine, along with all the mineral deposits located within its borders estimated at millions of tons of oil (the explored oil reserves are relatively limited), and tens of billions of cubic meters of gas Natural in Kazantip region.

According to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Crimea produces 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas annually, exceeding the needs of the peninsula.

The volume of resources that can be used as a result of additional exploration is about two trillion cubic metres.

The peninsula's deep-water ports of Kerch, Feodosia, and Sevastopol also allow Russia to acquire additional port capabilities.

In addition, a large number of industrial and agricultural enterprises located in Crimea were transferred to Russia.

Of particular note is the chemical industry, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, the wine industry and the fish processing industry.

Thanks to the Crimea, Russia provided the costs of building a second naval base for the Black Sea Fleet in Novorossiysk. By annexing Crimea, Russia got rid of paying the rent for the military bases on the peninsula, as was the case in the past, as well as the fees for supplies to these bases. As well as the passage of ships and goods through the Kerch Strait (about 200 million dollars annually).


What role does Sevastopol play in Russia's naval military system?

Sevastopol means in Greek "the famous city - the city of glory, greatness", and its history is replete with important events and feats.

It played a major role in the Crimean War (1853-1856).

During World War II, it was one of the first Soviet cities to be attacked by German forces, who reduced it to rubble before Soviet forces could liberate it in May 1944.

The concepts of the city and the main base of the Black Sea Fleet are mixed in Sevastopol.

The collapse of the Soviet Union dealt a major blow to the Black Sea Fleet at the time, as the Crimea and with it the Sevastopol military base went to Ukraine, after 70% of the entire infrastructure of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was located on the territory of the Crimea.

At the same time, there are still quite a few airfields in Crimea that were abandoned since the 1990s, which for several years the Russian army did not reach due to lack of time and material resources.

In principle, it is the best place to station the Black Sea Fleet, since the naval base in Novorossiysk is not suitable for this for several reasons, including geographical location, climatic conditions (strong winds cause great problems for warships).

In addition, the airports in Crimea (a natural aircraft carrier) allow Russia to control almost the entire Black Sea region.

Currently, the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Aerospace Forces are stationed in the Crimea, the 37th Mixed Aviation Regiment located at the Zhankoy, Bilbak and Gvardiysky airfields, and the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment, which includes a number of attack and defensive aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and other weapons .