General Ben Hodges: Ukrainian Troops Tighten The Noose Around Crimea

All Russian logistics got into a "fire pocket" thanks to the HIMARS.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are tightening the noose around Crimea. The supply line from the Rostov region through Mariupol and Berdiansk is already partially under the HIMARS fire range. The former commander of U.S. troops in Europe Lieutenant General Ben Hodges told about it, according to the New Debate.

As Hodges notes, the Ukrainian defenders have a huge advantage at the frontline. Due to the recent liberation of Kherson, both banks of the Dnipro River are under HIMARS and other high-precision artillery fire range. But more importantly, all Russian logistics are reacheble by the HIMARS missiles. Now it will be very problematic for the occupiers to replenish their equipment, fuel and ammunition stocks in Crimea through a land route along the Sea of Azov.

“This is a very important step to tighten the noose around Crimea. The counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson region is the right wing. The efforts that began in early September in the Kharkiv region and continue in the direction of Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol makes the left one,” the general explained.

According to the expert, it is these two counter-offensive groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that will close in Crimea in the near future.

Hodges stressed that the Russians now have only two supply lines that lead to Crimea. The first is the Crimean bridge, which is damaged significantly. And the second supply line runs from the Rostov region through Mariupol and Berdiansk. This area is already partially within HIMARS coverage.

“Sea vessels will soon become the only possible way to deliver or take something out of Crimea, and, of course, it’s a vulnerable way,” the expert concluded.