Mark Kancian, an expert in strategic research, believes that Ukraine is now focusing on conducting deep strikes aimed at the Russian military complex in Crimea. He believes that this is a strategically justified step that can provide Ukraine with an advantage in future military operations.
Crimea, he said, is an attractive target because it hosts many fixed military facilities, such as airfields and ports, that are not easily camouflaged or dispersed.
"I don't think that the Ukrainians will be able to cut off Crimea, but they can make the residents of Crimea feel uncomfortable," he emphasized.
Ukraine twice damaged the Kerch bridge connecting Crimea with Russia, as a result of which Russia stopped using it for military supplies. Now [the Russians] are transporting goods by rail through the occupied parts of Ukraine.
In the US, some members of Congress are putting pressure on the Biden administration, seeking permission for Ukraine to fire ATACMS and other US-made weapons into Russian territory.
The ban on the use of weapons on Russian territory is hampering Ukraine's efforts to stop Moscow's recent incursion into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast.
George Barros, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, points out that the US could immediately change the combat situation in the Kharkiv direction if the White House lifted this ban.
It is much more convenient and effective for Moscow to transfer troops and weapons to this front than in other regions. Russian troops in the east have to disperse and mask their positions behind the front line.
"Ukrainians cannot engage in battle with them until they cross the international border," the expert emphasized.
