Ukraine should take measures to force Russia to leave the occupied peninsula, similar to other "goodwill gestures". Commenting on the words of the former commander of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges, to isolate Crimea from Russia, Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, expressed this opinion, as quoted by MID in Telegram.

 During an expert interview with Spirit of America, Ben Hodges said: "I believe that Crimea is decisive for this war. As long as Russia occupies the Crimean peninsula, Ukraine will not be protected. If you look at the map, Crimea with Russian troops resembles a dagger aimed at the stomach of Ukraine."

 The representative of the MID of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine agreed with the assessments of Ben Hodges, emphasizing his significant support for Ukraine.

 "Of course, the enemy must be cut off from Crimea - to make sure that Russia cannot use the temporarily occupied peninsula for military purposes and eventually carry out the so-called "Crimean gesture of goodwill", Chernyak explained in a comment to Armiya newspaper.

 According to him, Ukraine does not stop taking appropriate measures in the Crimea direction, which is evidenced, in particular, by the recent events on the territory of the peninsula.

 "Kilometer-long traffic jams on the illegally erected bridge from Kerch to Russia are the right reaction. The MID of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine strongly recommends leaving occupied Crimea while such an option is still available," concluded the representative of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

 Families of Russian military personnel in Crimea are preparing to evacuate after a fuel tank fire in Sevastopol. The adversary is trying to avoid the trap due to resource cuts.