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TexasTowelie

(122,620 posts)
Wed Aug 27, 2025, 09:36 PM Wednesday

Crimea Exposed: Ukraine Tightens the Net - Jason Jay Smart



A fortress without a supply line becomes a target. Once sold to the world as Russia's unsinkable aircraft carrier, the illegally occupied Crimea is now a profound vulnerability for the Kremlin as Ukraine systematically dismantles its defenses. The foundations of Russia’s occupation are shaking in a slow-motion collapse, a direct result of a failure chain in logistics, air, and sea power.

This systemic failure is driven by four key factors: a compromised Kerch Bridge, a hidden Black Sea Fleet, shattered air defenses, and choked logistics. Russia’s promise of permanence in Crimea has collapsed under pressure, as Ukraine’s strategy of repeatedly cutting supply lines, blinding sensors, and draining fuel takes a toll. This has created holes in Russia’s once-impenetrable air defense shield, inviting fresh strikes.

The narrative also uncovers the untold story of the Crimean Tatars, an underground resistance network actively providing critical intelligence to Ukrainian forces. Their resistance exposes Russia’s true historical record of illegal annexation and ethnic cleansing. The Russian garrison in Crimea is struggling as both the Kerch Bridge and secure sea access are now catastrophically compromised. The fortress is beginning to choke from within, and the clock is ticking on Russia’s occupation.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Crimea: Russia's Vulnerable Fortress
03:17 The Real History of Crimea
05:30 Why Russia Clings to Crimea
07:14 The Collapse of Russia's Defenses
08:35 Choking the Fortress: Air & Logistics
11:28 Ukraine's Winning Strategy
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