There are reports that expansionist Russia is seeking China's assistance in constructing a tunnel between Russia and occupied Crimea, to protect shipments from Ukrainian bombardment. Currently the Kerch bridge serves as a road and rail link for Russia to occupied Crimea, but it has been hit twice and heavily damaged by Ukrainian attacks. The WaPo story continues:
"Russian and Chinese business executives with government ties have held secret discussions on plans to build an underwater tunnel connecting Russia to Crimea in hopes of establishing a transportation route that would be protected from attacks by Ukraine, according to communications intercepted by Ukraine’s security services.
The talks, which included meetings in late October, were triggered by mounting Russian concerns over the security of an 11-mile bridge across the Kerch Strait that has served as a key logistics line for the Russian military but has been bombed twice by Ukraine and remains a vulnerable war target. [snip]
Constructing a tunnel near the existing bridge would face enormous obstacles, according to U.S. officials and engineering experts who said work of such magnitude, probably costing billions of dollars and taking years to complete, has never been attempted in a war zone. [snip]
The project would also pose political and financial risks for China, which has never officially recognized Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and whose companies could become ensnared in economic sanctions that the United States and the European Union have imposed on Moscow." (our emphasis)
The U.S. and its allies should warn China that any support that they render to Russia will be countered by heavy sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals, and a further recalibration of relations with them. Let the Russian war criminals dig the hole themselves, pick and shovel style.
(photo: October 2022 attack aftermath on Kerch bridge. Ukrainian Security Service)
4 comments:
Right. How special it would be to:
>> For Russia to be yet another in-debt-up-to-its-ears Belt and Road client state for yet another Chinese white elephant mega-project.
>> have a tunnel which will be so much more vulnerable, given the nature of hydrostatic shock, to a bomb dropped anywhere near it, as opposed to a bridge which requires pinpoint accuracy for damage...and is some much harder to repair.
Russia is desperate to give the appearance of being on top of things, but is instead frantically rearranging the deck chairs while its ship of state is at dead slow and taking on water.
Given the technical and logistical issues plus the risks of Ukrainian "intervention" could the seemingly hapless Russian government actually get a 17km tunnel built this decade? Seems unlikely at this vantage.
Stewart and Kwark -- exactly so.
Yep Kwark:
Oh Ukraine, send me a missile HERE. I'm so dumb and stupid, kick me. Wait a sec, I'll bend over.
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