The Washington Post recently reported that Russia and China have been engaged in secret talks about the construction of an underwater tunnel that would connect Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, with mainland Russia. The discussions allegedly took place in October and were intercepted by Ukraine's security services. However, experts suggest that such a structure may not be a viable solution to Vladimir Putin's problems.

The motivation behind the proposed tunnel stems from concerns over the vulnerability of the Kerch Strait Bridge, which currently serves as the sole land link between Russia and Crimea. The bridge, a vital supply route for Russia's forces, has been targeted by Ukrainian strikes in both October 2022 and July of this year, causing significant damage to the railway portion.

Reports indicate that Russian and Chinese business executives with government ties hope that the underwater tunnel will provide a transportation route that is protected from attacks by Ukraine. However, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has expressed doubts about the feasibility of the project, citing significant engineering challenges and vulnerability throughout both the construction process and after completion. The unstable seismic activity in the area is also a major concern.

Experts, including Keir Giles from the Chatham House think tank, argue that while an underwater tunnel may offer a more secure means of movement, it would still be a chokepoint and a single point of failure. As long as hostilities between Russia and Ukraine persist, transiting the tunnel would be a cause for great unease.

The authenticity of the intercepted talks has not been independently verified, and The Washington Post acknowledges that the messages were provided by Ukrainian officials who seek to expose the project and China's potential involvement. Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment but has yet to receive a response.

This is not the first time the idea of an underwater tunnel has been proposed. Back in 2014, when Putin announced the annexation of Crimea, he expressed a desire to establish a road and railway connection to the peninsula. At the time, then-Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov mentioned the possibility of a tunnel without providing further details.

The Institute for the Study of War, based in Washington D.C., has highlighted the impact of Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure linking Crimea to southern Ukraine and mainland Russia. These strikes have reportedly hindered Moscow's ability to move resources and counter Kyiv's ongoing efforts to regain Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that his government remains committed to reclaiming Crimea. As tensions continue to persist, the proposed underwater tunnel remains an uncertain prospect in addressing the challenges faced by Russia in maintaining a secure connection with Crimea.

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