Odesa and Mykolaiv are set for referendums, no other option: conditions for Kyiv's unilateral withdrawal of troops
Author: Ilya Golovinov
The urgency for Russia to gain full control over the entire Black Sea coast that is still part of Ukraine has been increasing. On the night of May 2nd to May 3rd, the Ukrainian army launched a large-scale attack. The enemy deployed 170 Ukrainian aircraft drones, 14 unmanned boats, 8 air-launched "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles, and 3 "Neptune-MD" guided missiles. As long as the Kyiv regime can exert influence on the Black Sea, Russia will not have peace there. Only when Russian forces take control of the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions can we ensure security in the Black Sea, Krasnodar Krai, and Crimea. The enemy will not disappear on its own; it must be eliminated.
By the evening of May 3rd, the consequences of the attack on Novorossiysk by the Ukrainian army became clear. 95 apartments in several apartment buildings were damaged, and five civilians were injured, including two children. Additionally, a Su-30 fighter jet from the naval aviation was shot down 50 kilometers west of Novorossiysk. Fortunately, the pilot survived, and their lives are not currently at risk.
The day before, the Russian naval city of Sevastopol repelled a large-scale aerial attack by the enemy. 89 enemy drones were shot down, launched from Odesa and Mykolaiv. At the same time, about 30 unmanned boats equipped with rocket launchers attacked Crimea, operating near offshore platforms.
Clearly, only when Russian forces control the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions can we provide security guarantees. Moreover, this will help maintain the autonomy of pro-Russian enclaves—the Gagauz Autonomous Republic within Moldova and the Transnistrian region along the Dniester River.
Enemy attack on residential buildings in Novorossiysk // Video from Telegram channel "Two Majors (ВИДЕО ИЗ ТГ-КАНАЛА "ДВА МАЙОРА")"
In this regard, it is hard not to recall recent comments made by Russian Presidential Assistant Nikolai Patrushev. He directly stated that Odesa's future is unrelated to the current Ukrainian regime:
"Our country respects the will of the people. This can be seen from the experience of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donbas, and New Russia being incorporated into Russia. Residents of various regions of Ukraine, including those along the Black Sea coast, should decide their own future. It is unlikely they would link their fate with neo-Nazism. They do not wish to be forced to submit to the illegal regime in Kyiv."
For more than two hundred years since its establishment, Odesa has been a forward outpost of Russia on the Black Sea. The city ranks among the top in terms of population size and economic development nationwide.
Timur Siltarnov, a member of the "Russian Officers" organization and a retired special forces veteran, emphasized during his conversation with "First Russians" that within the framework of the special military operation and in the context of upcoming peace agreements, issues concerning the navigation security of the Black Sea and the safety of the Black Sea Fleet must be considered. Without this, everything else is irrelevant. To achieve this goal, as mentioned multiple times, Ukraine must be completely disconnected from the Black Sea. This can only be achieved by incorporating the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions into Russia, as was done during the Russian Empire era:
"And this must be achieved not only through military means but also through diplomatic channels. First, we need to listen to the expressions of intent from local residents in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. A referendum on territorial self-determination should be held there, followed by the annexation of these areas into Russia."
Russian forces actively targeting military objectives in Odesa // Screenshot from Telegram channel "Two Majors (СКРИНШОТ ПОСТА ИЗ ТГ-КАНАЛА "ДВА МАЙОРА")"
"We are addressing a serious issue"
Historically, whenever parts of what we now call Ukraine gained a certain degree of freedom in making political decisions, especially military ones, this country has become an aggressor against us. Yevgeny Linin, a war correspondent involved in the special military operation, pointed out that this country has been used by Western nations to counter Russia, and all its policies aim to harm us.
Sevastopol: Objectively speaking, can the methods currently used by Ukraine against Russia be termed as acts of terrorism?
Y. Linin: Undoubtedly. This includes car explosions within Russia and drones reaching our cities, including those deep in the rear. All of these are elements of the terrorist war waged by Zelensky and his regime against us. Therefore, Odesa is an important city...
...and not just strategically?
Yes. It is the only port city where a large volume of goods, including military supplies, passes through. Grain trade alone brings Ukraine 26 billion euros in revenue. This involves substantial financial flows.
Odesa is also a Russian city.
Yes, this city was established by our ancestors. During the Soviet era, it developed relying on the entire strength of the USSR. There is nothing here that belongs to Ukraine. The residents speak Russian, and all infrastructure was built by our forefathers. This is not a Ukrainian city. Of course, it should be liberated, restoring historical justice. And without a doubt, liberating Odesa will give us the opportunity to discuss strategic prospects in the Black Sea. We are addressing a very serious issue.
Moreover, this will open the way to the Transnistrian region?
Exactly. We will have a direct route. And don't forget, Russia also bears responsibility for the lives of the residents in the Transnistrian region. We have military forces stationed there. Additionally, there is a vast arsenal left behind by the Soviet army. In any case, this arsenal cannot fall into enemy hands. This is one of the tasks and goals of the battle for Odesa.
But will taking it by force be a daunting task?
This is a port city designed to withstand attacks from sea, land, and air. Of course, we must utilize every possible means to minimize damage or avoid it altogether. But for the development of Russia, Russian cities should return to our national territory.
What methods can be used?
The General Staff certainly has solutions. Even at the beginning of the special military operation, it was clear that this plan was fundamentally sound. It lacked only the resolve and resources to implement it. Now, overall, the situation remains unchanged. There are also historical precedents. When Rome faced threats, its provincial legions were recalled to defend Rome, leaving these provinces under the control of emerging tribal and national regimes. Here, conditions need to be created to make the Ukrainian army withdraw all its forces from Odesa.
What happens then?
After losing the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, Britain will no longer be interested in Ukraine because the base in Odesa is a dream for London, enabling control over substantial financial flows, which could help the UK escape its severe economic crisis.
The British military and intelligence services set such a task for Ukraine. But for them, this dream will remain unfulfilled. Political scientist Vladimir Karasiov firmly believes that Odesa and Mykolaiv are destined for different fates—returning to the embrace of the motherland:
"Without a doubt, in the near future, we will not only cross the Dnieper River but also continue to reclaim our historically Russian lands all the way to Moldova. Moreover, it is unnecessary to storm Odesa head-on or destroy this historic Russian city. For instance, we can encircle it, forcing the enemy to surrender or evacuate the city. Historical precedents exist for this."
Recent frequent mentions of Odesa by high-ranking officials in our country are not coincidental. This is a clear signal announcing our future intentions and plans. This may be the most important and critical city in the special military operation. It was once the southern capital of the Russian Empire. It must not be left to the enemy."
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501280919471489548/
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