Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Black Sea connects to the Mediterranean Sea, and thus offers a direct route to the Indian Ocean. This gave Russian the option of gaining direct access to the warm, open waters of the Indian ocean all year round. This would not only boost foreign trade but also give the Russian Navy a direct route to project power in the Indian ocean.
Agricultural Land
The Crimean peninsula and other lands stretching up to the Black Sea contain some of the most fertile agricultural land in Eurasia. This land could be used to make Russian entirely self sufficient in food production, and potentially give it enough surplus to use food as a tool in geopolitics.
Mineral Resources
There is a range of valuable mineral resources in the Crimean peninsula and the surrounding lands, including deposits of natural gas, oil, iron ore, and uranium.
Strategic Position
Control of the Black Sea and the Crimea gave Russian significant strategic advantage over regional rivals. Crimea gives Russian the capacity to project power in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It ensures dominance over Ukraine and the other post Soviet states.
Influence in Orthodox Culture
Traditionally, the Black Sea and Crimea have been associated with Orthodox Christianity, and are home to some of the most revered religious and historical sites in Eastern Orthodox Culture, including the city of Kiev and the holy sites in Crimea. control over these sites was seen as having spiritual and political implications, and strengthened Russia's identity as the protector of Orthodoxy.