Main news of the week:

▶ The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has proposed restoring the historical names of at least 22 geographical locations in Crimea that were erased due to Russia’s imperialist policies aimed at destroying the national identity and cultural heritage of the peninsula.

Invaders’ crimes:

▶ As of January 20, the occupiers have illegally imprisoned 218 individuals, including 132 Crimean Tatars. Of these, 43 are under arrest (28 Crimean Tatars), 151 are imprisoned (97 Crimean Tatars), and 26 are held without status (6 Crimean Tatars).

▶ 1139 cases were filed under Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation in so-called “courts” in occupied Crimea. In 993 cases, administrative fines or combined rulings were issued. Proceedings continue in 42 cases.

▶ The occupation “court” sentenced local residents Viktor Kudinov and Serhii Zhyhalov to six years of imprisonment on fabricated charges of extremism due to their membership in the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious organization.

▶ A Russian court in Rostov-on-Don extended until May 3 the detention of unlawfully imprisoned members of the so-called “second Dzhankoi group of the Crimean Muslims case”: Osman Abdurazakov, Khalil Mambetov, Ekrem Krosh, Leman Zekeriaiev, Refat Seidametov, and Aider Asanov.

▶ Oleh Fedorov, illegally sentenced by Russia to 13 years in a high-security penal colony, has had his confinement in the solitary punishment cell of Penal Colony No. 5 in the city of Sarapul, Udmurt Republic, Russia—over 2,000 km from Crimea—extended for the fourth time.

▶ Citizen journalist Rustem Sheikhaliiev, unlawfully sentenced by Russia to 14 years in a high-security penal colony, continues to experience a sharp decline in his health while in detention. On January 16, due to severe nose bleeding that could not be stopped, he was unable to attend a court hearing on his appeal against the verdict.

Forcible conscription:

▶ At least 1,666 Russian soldiers from units based in occupied Crimea have been killed, 1,123 of whom were likely Ukrainian citizens. The actual number of casualties is believed to be higher as Russia conceals actual losses.

▶ At least 108 servicemen from occupied Crimea, most likely Ukrainian citizens, have been confirmed as captured.

Militarization of the Crimean Peninsula:

▶ Agents of the ATESH resistance movement continue to document the activities of occupying forces in Crimea. Specifically, they recorded an increase in naval barriers against unmanned surface vessels in Balaklava Bay, identified a repair base for armored vehicles and defensive positions equipped with electronic warfare (EW) systems to counter UAVs in the village of Novoofedorivka, and observed the placement of military equipment at a cargo railway station in Yevpatoriia. Additionally, on Cape Tarkhankut near Olenivka in Yevpatoriia District, they documented the location of the 91st Riverine Boat Brigade. Among civilian infrastructure, they uncovered a concealed headquarters with military equipment, personnel, and civilian vehicles used for transport.

Propaganda of the occupation administrations and incitement to hostility:

▶ In occupied Simferopol, yet another example of the criminal negligence of the Russian occupation administration resulted in a heat pipeline rupture, leaving 30 residential buildings without heating.

Civil Resistance:

▶ In Simferopol, negligence by the occupation administration caused a heat pipeline rupture, leaving 30 residential buildings without heating. The situation was especially critical on Zaliska Street, which was flooded with boiling water.

▶ Despite persecution and repression by the occupiers, the traditional festival at the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Yalta took place. Around ten folk ensembles from various parts of the occupied peninsula participated in the event, including the “Friendship of Nations” ensemble from Simferopol, which performed carols exclusively in Ukrainian.

▶ In Crimea, the occupiers detained a 43-year-old resident on fabricated charges of allegedly financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

▶ Activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement relentlessly resist Russia’s occupation of Crimea, demonstrating unwavering dedication to Ukraine. They encourage residents of the peninsula to join non-violent resistance by spreading Ukrainian symbols, creating patriotic graffiti, organizing flash mobs, and destroying the occupiers’ propaganda materials. Despite the risk of persecution, participants restore Ukrainian memorial sites, conduct informational campaigns, and emphasize that Crimea is an inseparable part of Ukraine, inspiring others to join the collective struggle for its liberation.

▶ Members of the Crimean Combat Seagulls movement risk their safety daily by exposing collaborators and Russian war criminals on the temporarily occupied peninsula. They document and share critical information about these individuals’ locations, movements, financial activities, and connections with the occupation administration. They also organize resistance actions, distribute leaflets featuring Ukrainian symbols, expose corruption schemes, develop informational campaigns to counter propaganda and establish new resistance hubs.

▶ Activists of the Zla Mavka movement tirelessly fight for rights and freedoms on the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula, turning its streets into centers of resistance. The patriotic graffiti, stickers, and leaflets they create symbolize the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit and shatter the illusion of total control by the occupiers. Their efforts expose Russian propaganda, draw attention to human rights violations, and inspire Crimeans, reminding them that the fight for independence continues and that the liberation of the peninsula is only a matter of time.

The Mission continues to receive inquiries from Ukrainian citizens who want to leave Crimea because they cannot tolerate the occupation and total propaganda. We remind you of our instructions on how to leave temporarily occupied Crimea: https://cutt.ly/FwtiajlS

We thank the aware Ukrainian citizens in occupied Crimea for their prompt reports on the situation on the Crimean Peninsula, in particular on the socio-economic situation, the positions of Russian troops, the resistance movements to the occupation, etc. For more information, please send an e-mail to the press service of the Mission:  [email protected].

Glory to Ukraine!