Crimea's Liberation Alters the Course of History

Former US Army Commander Europe, Lt-Gen Ben Hodges, believes that Ukraine's anticipated counter-offensive against Russia will not be timed to coincide with the May 9 World War II Victory Day anniversary, but will instead be launched when conditions are established to ensure the best chance of success. Hodges recommends that the counter-offensive aims towards the isolation and eventual liberation of the Crimean Peninsula, which he believes is the decisive terrain of the war. The forces involved in the attack will be a combination of Ukrainian, captured-Russian, and Western-provided equipment. The Ukrainian General Staff is conducting shaping operations to set the conditions ahead of the main attack, which will include attacks by partisans and special forces to destroy/disrupt transportation networks, cause confusion in the Russian rear area, and gather intelligence.