Understanding The Strategic Importance of Crimea to Ukraine and Russia

The recent escalation of attacks in Russian-occupied Crimea, with Ukraine demonstrating its capabilities through direct hits on strategic targets such as Moscow's naval headquarters in Sevastopol, has brought back into focus the question - why is the conflict-stricken peninsula of Crimea so important to both Russia and Ukraine?

Located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, Crimea was annexed by Moscow nine years ago in a move that is not widely recognized internationally. The current state of this territorial quagmire remains an active battlefront between the two neighbouring states.

Sevastopol, the city housing Moscow's naval headquarters, is emblematic of Russia's military might. Traditionally, it has been viewed as an impregnable fortress, but the recent direct hit by Ukraine indicates that the balance of power may be shifting, or at least, that Ukraine is capable of posing a significant threat to Russia's interests beyond the front lines.

Reports speculate that the precision of Ukraine's attack may have been aided by British or French missile technology, underscoring the far-reaching implications of this regional conflict in the landscape of international alliances and strategic loyalties.

To get insights about the ongoing situation, our presenter Laura Kyle is joined by a panel of experts. Andrey Baklanov, Deputy chairman of the Association of Russian Diplomats, Domitilla Sagramoso, Senior lecturer in security and development at King’s College London, and Michael Bociurkiw, Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council will provide detailed analysis of the recent developments and the enduring geopolitical significance of Crimea to both Russia and Ukraine.