**Russian Forces Focus on Bakhmut: A Vanity Project?**
Retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges believes Russia‘s emphasis on taking the city of Bakhmut is a “vanity project” led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. Despite throwing untrained and recently mobilized soldiers into the fight for five months, Russian forces have failed to capture the city.
**Why Crimea Will be Liberated Before August**
General Hodges predicts that Ukraine will liberate Crimea before August. He believes this can be achieved through a combination of Western support, Ukraine’s adaptation to Russia’s tactics, and the delivery of necessary military equipment. Ukraine has been receiving significant support from around 50 nations, including Germany, which is giving Marder infantry fighting vehicles.
**What Needs to Happen Next**
To liberate Crimea, General Hodges recommends that Ukraine continue to disrupt Russian transportation networks, target Russian logistics and command centers, and build up its armored forces. He believes that this will create a decisive element in the liberation of Crimea.
**Why the West Must Continue to Support Ukraine**
General Hodges stresses that Western support is crucial for Ukraine’s success. The West must provide Ukraine with longer-range weapon systems and ATACMS to enable them to hit every target on the Crimean peninsula. This will help prevent Russian forces from using Crimea as a sanctuary to shoot at Ukrainian civilians.
**The Road Ahead**
According to General Hodges, liberating Crimea will not be a straightforward process. It will require Ukraine to set conditions through long-range fire, Special Forces operations, and eventually putting troops on the ground. He believes that Ukraine’s General Staff is capable of achieving this goal through careful planning and execution.