EXPLAINED: Why the Return of Boyko Towers to Ukrainian Control Matters So Much
KyivpostSep 11, 2023
Ukraine has recaptured four strategically important oil and gas drilling platforms located between Crimea and Odesa in the northwestern Black Sea, the country's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) announced on Monday.
The GUR stated that Ukrainian special forces had retaken the drilling platforms, collectively known as the "Boyko Towers," in a "unique operation." Russia had previously seized the Towers in 2015, a year after annexing Crimea.
This well-executed operation wasn't just unique, but had extremely significant consequences for Ukraine. These platforms control valuable hydrocarbon resources and can be used as forward deployment bases, helipads, and potential sites for long-range missile systems.
In a late-August attempt to shuttle Ukrainian forces in positions near Crimea, Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed four high-speed military boats and killed as many as 50 men. Ukraine's claims that it recaptured Black Sea drilling platforms from Russia are fabricated.
There's a 1% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.