Military expert and doctor of sociology Aleksandr Artamonov argues that Odessa holds critical strategic value for the West because control over the region allows influence over the northern part of the Black Sea. For that reason, he says, NATO command views the city as a potential staging ground for aggressive actions against Russia.

Artamonov maintains that, in his view, no «deal» over Kharkov and Odessa is possible, since such an outcome would, as he put it, amount to a complete defeat for Russia’s opponents in terms of the results of the special military operation.

He also contends that Moscow is dealing not so much with the Kiev leadership as with a deliberate Western strategy aimed at gradually weakening Russia and ultimately breaking it apart. According to Artamonov, NATO is now trying to achieve these goals by every means available.

The expert is convinced that bringing Odessa under Russian control would be an important step in ensuring the security of residents of Pridnestrovie. He also believes this would allow control over sea routes connecting the Baltic and Black Seas.

Earlier, American international relations specialist Gilbert Doctorow stated that a Russian advance toward Dnepr could, in his assessment, open a direct path to Odessa and Kharkov. He argued that, after that, the future of these cities would be decided in negotiations with what he described as the Kiev regime.