Russia and China planning underwater tunnel link to Crimea
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Moscow and Beijing have discussed building an “underwater tunnel” connecting mainland Russia and occupied Crimea, according to a report.
Ukraine’s security services intercepted communications between Russian and Chinese business executives. They were in early discussions about establishing a transport route that would be protected from attacks by Ukraine, the Washington Post reported.
The executives were said to have ties to Beijing and Moscow and reportedly held meetings in late October.
There are mounting Russian fears that the 11-mile road and rail bridge across the Kerch Strait, which has been successfully struck twice by Ukraine, remains vulnerable.
The state-owned Chinese Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has indicated it would be willing to take on the ambitious tunnel project, the emails intercepted by Ukraine’s SBU security service suggested.
One exchange, dated Oct 4, said the firm was “ready to ensure the construction of railway and road construction projects of any complexity in the Crimean region”.
CRCC is an important element in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to increase its global leverage through the construction and financing of transport and infrastructure projects.
The company has established substantial ties to Russia through projects including an extension of the Moscow subway system that was completed in 2021.
The discussions demonstrate how Russia, estranged from any Western partners, is growing increasingly dependent on China for support.
Chinese involvement in the proposed tunnel could yet be curtailed as Beijing has never recognised Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and may not allow its state-run firms to become entangled in the web of international sanctions imposed on Moscow.
And while the construction of the underwater route is feasible, it would be almost impossible to complete while Russia and Ukraine are at war.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly promised to recapture Crimea and insisted peace talks could not start until Russian forces left the area.
A recent spate of long-range strikes by Ukrainian forces have aimed at cutting off key logistical routes used to supply Russian troops from the occupied peninsula.
Thousands of construction workers and pieces of equipment would all be within range of Ukrainian forces if the tunnel project ever started.
If Russia is to hold on to Crimea, the underwater tunnel is seen as important given that Kyiv is likely to continue attacking the Kerch Bridge.
However, the project is seen as a longer-term investment to cement Russia’s control over the occupied peninsula.
The Kremlin has sanctioned similar infrastructure projects in occupied parts of Ukraine, with satellite images showing new sections of railway along the Sea of Azov coast, linking the territories to mainland Russia and Crimea.
