The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published a report, “Crossing Thresholds: Ukrainian Resistance to Russian Occupation,” by British scholar Jade McGlynn. The report highlights the importance of Ukrainian resistance in the de-occupied territories and is based on several interviews, including with direct participants in the resistance.

The document emphasizes the exceptional contribution of Crimea in the context of the Ukrainian resistance:

“A notable aspect of the resistance is the participation from Crimea, an area previously thought to be subdued after years of occupation. Reports indicate that a large number of women from Crimea have joined the resistance, demonstrating a readiness to oppose the occupation robustly. Women have also been instrumental in more covert forms of resistance—such as poisoning the food and drink offered to Russian soldiers, exploiting the occupiers’ presumptions of local hospitality.”

In an interview for this report, one of the ATESH movement commanders noted that the movement’s members include both men and women, mostly under 40. Most are married, although not all have children.

The report states that the strategic efforts of Ukrainian guerrillas are focused on sabotaging rail lines that are critical for the transportation of military supplies and looted goods such as grain and metal.

The report emphasizes that Ukrainian units carry out sabotage operations in Crimea, but other forms of resistance remain essential. The author cites the example of how, in December 2023, members of a Ukrainian guerrilla group called the Crimean Combat Seagulls poisoned and killed 24 Russian soldiers by mixing arsenic and strychnine into their vodka, despite the high risk to their lives. In addition, there were reports from Bakhchysarai that Ukrainian guerrillas were killing Russian soldiers by mixing arsenic and rat poison into pies and alcohol.

Jade McGlynn points out the critical contribution of guerrillas to Ukraine’s military efforts: they play an essential part in gathering and transmitting intelligence, supporting military operations, sabotaging enemy logistics and command structures, and creating favorable conditions for Ukrainian military initiatives:

“The attacks on Crimea, in particular, have carried substantial geopolitical weight and have bolstered Ukrainian morale, countering Putin’s narratives of Russian might. Moreover, the actions of the Ukrainian resistance debunk Russian propaganda claims of a welcoming occupied populace.”