According to him, the "return" of Crimea is a strategic goal of Ukraine, and the best way to achieve this is to force "the Russians to come out without firing a shot."

"But, if they have to kill or capture every Russian on the peninsula, they will do it," RIA Novosti quoted Hodges as saying.

Earlier, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that Crimea is an integral part of Russia and claims to Russian territory will receive a proper response.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed that the issue of Crimea is closed for Russia, and the referendum on the peninsula was held in strict accordance with international law.

Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014: the majority of residents voted in favor of reunification with Russia.