Ben Hodges - The Siege of Crimea has Begun as Ukraine Takes Control over the Black Sea and Coastline

Strikes on Russian oil refineries have a significant impact on Russia’s ability to conduct warfare. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, Commander of U.S. Forces Europe in 2014-17, stated this during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum. “Of course, attacks on oil refineries have a significant impact. Russia is less able to pay for this war, and it also deprives it of the necessary fuel to continue hostilities. I would recommend ignoring the calls for an end to such attacks.”

The Lieutenant General emphasized that sanctions against Russia need to be strengthened. He also added that 2024 will be the year of industrial competition. “Ukraine and the West should win this competition. I am talking about of course building up ammunition supplies, but also moving forward maintenance capabilities so that the Ukrainian soldiers can fix forward equipment that is broken or damaged on site, as well as increasing their ammunition stocks.”

According to Hodges, Ukraine should put pressure on Russian logistics, particularly in Crimea, to make the peninsula unusable for Russian troops. “I would not expect a dramatic drop in Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. The job of (new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) Syrskyi will be to stabilize the situation on the front line, but industrial competition will play a role here, while the Ukrainian army needs new units to ensure rotation”.
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Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. He was most recently a Senior Advisor to Human Rights First, until summer 2023, and serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics. Until recently was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, the Transatlantic relationship and international security.
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CHAPTERS:
00:01:07 Introduction - what's happened since the last conversation
00:01:55 What we're still getting wrong about Vladimir Putin
00:03:39 Russia crimes - using Ecocide and Energy as Weapons if war
00:06:14 The grey fleet breaking oil sanctions and threatening disaster
00:11:29 Ukraine's revolution in military tactics in the air and at sea
00:14:17 Has siege of Crimea begun, and will it become untenable for Russia
00:16:25 The failing Western strategy of extreme 'escalation manangement'
00:22:29 How has Ukraine still held the line, depite ammunition famine
00:29:42 Why was Jake Sullivan in Kyiv, and does it involve appeasement?
00:30:32 We are giving Putin signals thate he can act with total impunity
00:36:15 What are immediate requirements of Ukraine and how can we meet them?
00:40:41 Is the strategy of 'risk management' built on incorrect assumptions?
00:43:51 Western strategy increases global risk of conflict and chaos
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CHAPTERS:
00:00:00
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine

Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas

UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine

Come Back Alive

Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen

UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
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PLATFORMS:
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[amandadonaghey]

I’m a little person. I’m moderately educated. I’m old. I have lived all over the world. I have seen the Cuban missile crisis, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the folding of the Soviet Union and my brain is screaming “Stop taking this conflict lightly!”
All elements are in place for the perfect storm.
Do people remember what democracy is and how much it cost?
Huge, huge thanks for this positive interview 👍
🇺🇦🇮🇪🇺🇦

[rightman]

Every word of questions is very well-chosen and answers are right to the point. Brutally honest. Please note that we are not in TV interview era any more, and finding a way or ways to have more viewers of these spectacular conversations is vital. I hope other channels on youtube which support Ukraine and free world in general, understand the importance of giving link to them. Many thanks

[davidgab]

Winston Churchill — 'You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war.' - To Neville Chamberlain.

I honestly don't like how people seem to forget this simple idea and how applicable it still sounds today.

[anacasco]

Ben Hodges looks, sounds and THINKS so naturally SENSIBLE that he should be heard by the whole NATO... and especially his own Americans!!
👍👍👍

[jacquesdubord]

Your guest Ben Hodge is quite a brilliant guy and an experienced military. His comments are clear and cleaver. I live what he's saying.

[christianecoughlan]

I love listening to Ben Hodges. He is so clear minded and to the point. Great man!

[yootoobnz]

Both an excellent interviewer and excellent interviewee. I wish more of the politicians themselves could think with such clear logic.

[CrookedSkew]

Tremendous interview. Thanks Silicone Curtain and Ben Hodges!

[RizzlaTheCat]

I want to Thank both you and Ben for the amount of time & effort you guys put in- to this extremely important issue!
Ben should run for president!!

[impossibleisjustanopinion]

Our government in the UK need to step up. We have enough for about 3 month's. We should be opening factories and sending everything we can

[BIOSHOCKFOXX]

I want Ben Hodges and Col. Douglas MacGregor, and Scott Ritter to meet and sit down at a table together, the conversations could be interesting between them, since I hear something different from Ben Hodges, different opinions, different view from the other two I know well.

[Max-lwdw]

Such good common sense! Thanks Gen Hodges.

[miroslavavisinger]

Dear Rabbit!You couldn't provide better gift for Eastern but to have Great General Ben Hodges for conversation this night.I never miss to learn something new from the man, who for sure, is the greatest expert in his area.
Have happy Eastern you, Sir Hodges and all brave warriors who will not be that happy to enjoy with theirs belloved.

General Hodges, take care and Thank you for your time.👍♥️

[louisnaidu]

Thank you for interviewing a very intelligent person who predicted this long ago.

[anacasco]

Ben Hodges... always CLEAR and AWESOME in his view of the present realuty... and the MOST FACTIBLE FUTURE if occident does not react on the history KNOWN and the facts we observe. 👍🇺🇲👍

[Jim-yzqf]

Ben is a great man. His empathy is palpable and his intelligence relating to tactics and global issues is invaluable. Would love to get his autograph frfr. And even a meet and greet. Respect.

[montanasoftware]

A huge "thank you" to Ben Hodges for tirelessly advocating for Ukraine ...

[EEX]

Alright, let’s go, thanks Jonathon and Ben Hodges.

[nickbushy]

He should go for president, general hodges has my vote, 🎉 A very wise man in my opinion 🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇧🙏

[drexenor]

I wish any state leader was as intelligent, wise, and well spoken and caring as Ben Hodges!