US predicts when AFU will liberate Crimea

Retired US general Ben Hodges believes that Ukraine will liberate Russian-occupied Crimea by the end of summer 2023 if Western partners provide the AFU with the necessary weapons and long-range missiles, Hodges said in an interview with NV.

"Ukraine is planning to liberate Crimea, and I very much hope that this will happen before the end of the summer, provided that Western countries provide Ukraine with everything you need and ask for, and of course missiles of the right range," he said.

He stressed that the temporarily occupied peninsula was a crucial area for Ukraine in its war with the Russian Federation. He also expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian command.

"The Ukrainian command is doing a very good job, I am generally delighted with the way they are conducting this military campaign, what their approach is - thorough and professional. How they are building up resources, how they are not giving the opponent an opportunity to make any significant breakthrough, and also how they are building up resources for the spring military campaign, because Crimea is important to you. Crimea is a crucial territory for you," he added.