Former commander of US forces in Europe Ben Hodges predicted that Russia will try to seize the dam in the Ukrainian city of Kherson. His words are quoted by the portal “the Country”.
According to him, the Russian forces tried to seize the building under the guise of large-scale military exercises “Caucasus-2020” program this fall. American General believes that Moscow will decide to do this due to the lack of water in Crimea: problems with this started after Ukraine stopped deliveries in the North-Crimean channel.
“I Hope I’m wrong, but I have a vision that is so typical of what Russia has done in the past that during the exercises in the Caucasus, they will declare a humanitarian crisis in Crimea because of the water, and then say that they have no choice,” said Hodges.
In his opinion, the only way Moscow can resolve the situation with lack of water.
June 18, Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vasily Bodnar stated that Russia could carry out an act of “aggression” for lack of water in Crimea. According to him, military experts already know about the “real threat”.
On 1 June Deputy Prime Minister for reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories Alexey Reznikov called the condition of the water supply to Crimea returning to Ukraine as the Peninsula and the Donbass.
Problems with water began in the Crimea in 2014, as Ukraine has stopped supplying in the North-Crimean channel. After the reunification of the Peninsula with Russia and the beginning of the armed conflict in the Donbass relations between Kyiv and Moscow deteriorated sharply. Ukraine regularly accuses Russia of involvement in the fighting in the South-East of its territory. All accusations of the Russian side rejects.
Military exercises “Caucasus” held on the territory of the southern military district. The maneuvers were held twice — in 2012 and in 2016. The last time they were attracted by more than 12.5 thousand soldiers. “Caucasus-2020” will be the largest event of combat training. Exercises scheduled for September.
