"Crimea is a Decisive Territory": General Hodges Predicts when the Ukrainian Armed Forces will Liberate the Peninsula

Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges believes that Ukraine will liberate Russia-controlled Crimea by the end of the summer if Western partners provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the necessary weapons and long-range missiles, as he said in his interview with NV. 
"Ukraine plans to liberate Crimea, and I really hope that this will happen by the end of the summer, provided that Western countries supply Ukraine with everything you need and ask for, including, of course, missiles of the right range," he said.

He also reminded that the temporarily seized peninsula is a crucial territory for Ukraine in the war with Russia. 

"The Ukrainian command is doing a very good job, and I am generally impressed with the way they are conducting this military campaign. Their approach is thorough and professional. I am impressed by how they are building up resources, how they are not giving the opponent the opportunity to make a significant breakthrough anywhere, and how they are building up resources for the spring military campaign, because Crimea is important to you. Crimea is a crucial territory for you," he added.

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