After spending more than four years unlawfully imprisoned in a Russian penal colony, Crimea.Realities journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko, who was recently released, wrote a letter of support to Crimean resident Halyna Dovhopola. The occupying administration had illegally sentenced her to 12 years in prison on charges of “state treason” and “espionage.”

Vladyslav Yesypenko was detained on 10 March 2021 in occupied Crimea after publishing independent reports on the peninsula’s social and environmental issues. Russia’s FSB accused him of “espionage” for Ukraine and allegedly “possessing explosives.”

Despite being eligible for early conditional release, the Russian side held Yesypenko until the end of his full sentence. He was released on 20 June 2025.

In his letter to Halyna Dovhopola, he wrote:

“Hello, Sister! I believe I can call you that because, while we were in neighboring cells of the Simferopol pre-trial detention center, we supported one another, fought together, and believed in our victory. In the summer, when the heat came and the guards opened the “feeding slots” in the doors, we had the chance not only to hear each other but also to see one another. We often talked about what life was like for you and other Crimeans under occupation, about children, and about the future of Ukraine. You spoke of prison hardships and troubles with a sense of humor that only you possess. I know that in Lefortovo, the FSB officers deprived you of sleep and cigarettes, but you just smiled at them and “smoked” napkins.

I remember how, in a short time, you put the criminal bosses in their place with just your words — after that, both the male and female wings of the pre-trial detention center began addressing you only by your first name and patronymic.

And when I gave you a T-shirt and cap with our Ukrainian symbols, you tried them on and joked, “Now I wouldn’t even be ashamed to die in this.”

As it happened, on the day you were transferred to the penal colony, I was being taken to the FSB for another round of investigative procedures. As we walked through the prison corridors, I hugged you (a violation of the inmate escort procedure), you sang Ukrainian songs, and the officer accompanying us, probably stunned by such boldness, couldn’t even muster a reprimand…

This spring, you turned 70.

You are now serving your fifth year of a sentence for a crime you never committed. Under such charges, the Russians do not grant early release, which means you are to be freed only at the age of 76…By prison standards, that means never.

It is known that your health has significantly deteriorated in prison, but not your faith in Ukraine. Sister, know that I — and many other concerned people — are fighting for you and your early release! I believe I will meet you alive on Ukrainian soil!

I want to end this letter with your own words, written from the Simferopol pre-trial detention center:

“I ask just one thing from everyone: no fundraising for me! The only help I need is wide publicity and a reminder to the Ukrainian Government not to keep political prisoners ‘under the rug.’ We are waiting here, and each of us is fighting to stay alive, so as not to ‘die in Russia’ behind barbed wire. Please do not forget about us!”

I am confident that Halyna Dovhopola, imprisoned in occupied Crimea for political reasons, has not been forgotten in Ukraine.”

Halyna Dovhopola is one of many Ukrainian citizens imprisoned in Crimea or deported to the territory of the Russian Federation. She remained an active member of civil society on the peninsula and maintained ties with mainland Ukraine — which became the basis for her politically motivated prosecution on fabricated charges. Her case, like that of Vladyslav Yesypenko, is politically driven.

These persecutions are part of a broader strategy by Russia aimed at repression, isolation, and intimidation of people with pro-Ukrainian views in occupied Crimea. The Russian Federation systematically violates human rights and demonstrates complete disregard for international law.

We remind you that as part of the Letters to a Free Crimea initiative, you can write a letter of support to Ukrainians unlawfully imprisoned by the Russians. Learn more via the following link: https://cutt.ly/irOus8tB .