UK intelligence says Russia begins to strengthen defense of Crimea

Over recent weeks, Russia has continued to expend significant effort building defensive lines deep in rear areas, especially on the approaches to occupied Crimea, said the UK Ministry of Defence, Report informs.

"This includes an extensive zone of defences of 9 km in length, 3.5 km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region. These elaborate defences highlight the Russian command’s assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea," the ministry tweeted.

Thus, Russia continues to see maintaining control of the peninsula as a top political priority.