Russian and Chinese business leaders are reportedly exploring the construction of an undersea tunnel linking Russia and Crimea. This potential collaboration, considered unprecedented, arises despite China not officially recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea. The Washington Post states that Russia is considering the tunnel as an alternative to the vulnerable 11-mile bridge across the Kerch Strait, which has faced attacks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the report, the Chinese Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), a state-owned enterprise controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, expressed readiness to undertake railway and road construction projects in Crimea. An email from Russian business leader Vladimir Kalyuzhny suggested interest in serving as a general contractor for the tunnel project. Kalyuzhny, however, dismissed the reports as “a lot of hot air” and denied collaboration between Russia and CRCC.
The Chinese Communist Party aims to keep a low profile on the tunnel project, insisting on strict confidentiality. CRCC mentioned that its involvement in a hypothetical Kerch Strait project would be attributed to an “unaffiliated legal entity,” with funds converted into rubles for transfer to Crimea. Notably, China has never officially recognized Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea since Moscow’s annexation in 2014.
Simultaneously, reports from Crimea indicate significant challenges, with nearly half a million people experiencing power outages due to adverse weather conditions. Oleg Kryuchkov, a senior Moscow-installed official, highlighted the impact of high winds, flooded homes, snowbound roads, and damaged buildings in the region.
In conclusion, the prospect of a secret undersea tunnel between Russia and Crimea, with potential involvement from China, adds a layer of complexity to geopolitical dynamics. The reported collaboration, if realized, could challenge existing political alignments and infrastructure plans. As Russia explores alternatives to the Kerch Strait bridge, the potential tunnel project raises questions about regional cooperation and the willingness of nations to engage in significant infrastructural partnerships despite geopolitical differences. The evolving situation underscores the intricate interplay between economic interests, strategic considerations, and the pursuit of ambitious infrastructure projects in the ever-shifting landscape of global geopolitics.