Editorial
Last October, Russian and Chinese company executives met secretly to discuss the possibility of building an undersea tunnel connecting Russia to Crimea. This underwater communication line would allow the transport of goods to Crimea, offering a route safe from Ukrainian attacks. The news emerged from intercepted communications of the Ukrainian security services, reported by the Washington Post.
The decision to build this secure line was motivated by Ukraine's repeated attacks on the 11-mile-long bridge in the Kerch Strait, a crucial element for Russian military logistics. The talks underline Russia's determination to maintain control over Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014, and its growing dependence on China.
Building a tunnel next to the bridge poses a significant challenge, according to U.S. officials and experienced engineers. Work of this scale, with costs estimated at several billion dollars, has never been attempted in a war zone. However, despite doubts about the feasibility of the project, Russian determination emerges to start the project as soon as possible, considering the risk that Ukraine could damage the Kerch bridge in the coming years.
The Washington Post reports that a major Chinese construction company has shown interest in the project. While China has never officially recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea, it could face economic consequences from sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Moscow. However, China appears interested in building the tunnel through its state-owned company, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
Furthermore, China could obtain significant advantages by insisting on partial ownership of the tunnel and expanding its global portfolio of port and transport infrastructure.
While some experts believe building a tunnel under the Kerch Strait is technically possible, they point out that it would be a huge undertaking, comparable to the tunnel between Denmark and Germany that has been under construction for eight years. With estimated costs exceeding $8,7 billion, it would be the longest tunnel in Europe upon completion. Experts say it is unlikely that a Kerch tunnel could be completed in time to influence the Russian war effort, but Moscow may consider it a long-term investment. The implementation of the project would put thousands of employees, expensive equipment and large construction sites at risk, exposed to the danger of Ukrainian attacks.”
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