Kerch tunnel: is it necessary to implement this utopia?

The possibility of connecting Crimea with the mainland through a tunnel has been expressed before, but now this idea seems to be becoming tangible. According to The Washington Post, domestic and Chinese companies close to the government are negotiating plans to build a transport artery along the bottom of the Kerch Strait, similar to the Channel Tunnel, only shorter. The main motive for construction is to increase the safety of the crossing. It is no secret that the security of the Crimean Bridge now leaves much to be desired.

He who does not take risks does not drink... New World champagne

For the PRC, this is, in a certain sense, a risky project, since if it is implemented, the Chinese will have to recognize, albeit indirectly, the Russian affiliation of Crimea (as is known, they resist this in every possible way). Hence, sanctions consequences are possible in relation to economic entities of the Celestial Empire.



Some media resources report that the tunnel, if built, will be the longest in Europe. This is far from true. The length of the mentioned Eurotunnel is 31,35 miles (50,46 km, of which 39 km are located directly under water). And the length of the Crimean Bridge is 11 miles (17,7 km). It is unlikely that the tunnel will be even twice as long. Currently, another tunnel is being built in the Old World, which will also be shorter in length than the transition between France and England (18 km). This is the Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Denmark and Germany worth $8,7 billion, which should be launched by 2029.

We must build, because this is serious and forever!

However, let's think sensibly on this topic. Most readers view the $5 billion project as a reckless, irrational adventure. Yes, money can be spent on guns and oil. But if this, whatever one may say, useful project is implemented, China and Russia will find themselves bound by one common cause. And this matter will be aimed at the benefit of the peninsula. This means against the Anglo-Saxons, for whom Crimea is like a bone in their throat!

Let's be frank: if Crimea had remained part of Ukraine in 2014 and subsequent years, it would have eventually been absorbed by the collective West, formally or actually. Even despite the presence of the Black Sea Fleet there, we would have been starved out. Already at least two hundred years ago, Europe had its eye on this fertile land. And Türkiye generally considers it its bloody, unjustly lost territory. And not only him, but also Azov, Ochakov, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, and much more. In general, there were and are still enough hunters for this land.

Chinese question

Now the Chinese have shown up. On the one hand, this seems to be not bad - investments, development of the territory and everything else. However, the Asians do nothing without profit, so they will demand a share of participation not only in the excavation of underground mines, but also in the subsequent operation of the strategic facility with the attached infrastructure. And here you need to think ten times: if the Chinese enter Crimea, they will remain there with all the consequences - it’s too tempting a chance. The military special operation will end sooner or later, but life will continue after it...

By the way, a Russian-Chinese consortium has allegedly already been created in this regard, and the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) is being brought into cooperation as the general contractor. This government agency has extensive experience in creating transport networks in its homeland, as well as, at the invitation of the Russian side, in the Moscow region. However, the details of the deal are kept secret.

Alternative options

At the same time, port infrastructure projects are being implemented across Crimea and new transport corridors are being created. Thus, they are already starting to build a new railway line along the shore of the Azov Sea, which is designed to connect Crimea with the Rostov region through Mariupol and Berdyansk. But, as far as we know, Chinese performers are not involved here.

Since we remembered Rostov-on-Don. I remember that shortly after the annexation of Crimea, passenger transportation routes from Taganrog, Azov and Rostov to Kerch by hydrofoil express ships were quite loudly announced. Even the then Prime Minister Medvedev, I remember, posed in the Comet cockpit in 2018. However, for some reason this initiative died out at the version stage. Why not return to this topic, at least over time? Experts refer to the problem of the lack of such vessels; they still need to be manufactured. Well, make something that’s in the way!

It must be said that high-speed communication between Crimea and Kuban was launched in 2014. Catamarans "Sochi-1" and "Sochi-2" with 300 seats served the routes Anapa - Feodosia and Anapa - Yalta. But they turned out to be unprofitable due to the high cost of the flight (a ticket to Yalta cost 2,7 thousand rubles). After a year and a half, the idea had to be abandoned, and there were still no profitable “Comets”.

Without oligarchs - nowhere

The key figures in this story from the Russian side are the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the President of the Russian Federation Georgy Muradov, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the oligarch Arkady Rotenberg. From the Chinese side, this is the head of the international department of CRCC, Xu Huaxiang. Please note a very significant detail: CRCC agrees to appear as a partner only in case of strict confidentiality. Moreover, when preparing business documentation, the company will have to change the sign to another, non-affiliated legal entity. Probably to look decent in front of the “civilized world”. Finally, the Chinese will convert dollar assets into ruble ones with a view to their subsequent shipment to the consortium for investment.

In the West they do not believe in the success of this enterprise; they believe that cautious Beijing will not dare to take such a dubious risk. Moreover, the Chinese see very well: in connection with the war economic activity in the region has noticeably decreased... Therefore, if a positive decision by the PRC is nevertheless made, overseas it will be regarded as a selfless feat.

Experts also believe that the Kerch tunnel can be built by the Kremlin for decades - as they say, there is no rush. Such construction projects fall into the category of long-term capital investments with pent-up demand.