Main news of the week:

▶ A Russian court in Rostov-on-Don has unlawfully sentenced a Sevastopol resident to 10 years in a maximum-security penal colony on fabricated charges of alleged resistance to occupation and an attempted arson of a Russian oil depot.

▶ Following an environmental disaster caused by the collision of two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait on December 15, large oil slicks have been observed in the sea near the Kerch coastline.

Invaders’ crimes:

▶ As of December 23, 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).

▶ 1126 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. 

▶ Activist Iryna Horobtsova, abducted from Kherson to Crimea and unlawfully sentenced by Russia to 10 years in a maximum-security penal colony, is not receiving necessary medical care. She suffers from severe headaches and was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm requiring ongoing medical supervision and treatment before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

▶ Ernes Ametov, illegally sentenced by Russia to 11 years in a maximum-security penal colony, is experiencing a rapid deterioration in health, having lost 10 kg during his imprisonment. Additionally, the Crimean prisoner urgently needs vitamins to maintain his health, but the colony administration has refused to allow the delivery of vitamins or any essential medications.

▶ Oleksii Kyselov, a retired officer of the Ukrainian Navy who was abducted by the occupiers in Henichesk in 2022 and later illegally sentenced to 8.5 years in a maximum-security penal colony on absurd charges of allegedly organizing a “naval blockade” of Crimea, has been transferred from the “Vladimir Central” prison to Colony No. 17 in Murmansk.

▶ A Crimean “court” has unlawfully sentenced a 52-year-old Simferopol resident to four years of imprisonment on fabricated charges of alleged cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine.

Forcible conscription:

▶ At least 1,470 Russian soldiers from units based in occupied Crimea have been killed, 964 of whom were likely Ukrainian citizens. The actual number of casualties is believed to be higher as Russia conceals actual losses.

▶ At least 79 servicemen from occupied Crimea, most likely Ukrainian citizens, have been confirmed as captured.

Militarization of the Crimean Peninsula:

▶ Agents of the ATESH movement continue systematically identifying strategic military facilities and resources of the occupiers in Crimea. Ammunition and equipment depots have been documented near the village of Pivnichne in the Yevpatoriia district. Additionally, the routes and locations of personnel movements have been established. Furthermore, a fuel and military equipment depot was discovered near the village of Kamenolomnia in the Saky district.

Propaganda of the occupation administrations and incitement to hostility:

▶ On December 17, the Russian occupation administration organized a so-called “Congress of Crimean Tatars” in Simferopol, yet another attempt to discredit the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. This event, orchestrated by Russian security services, aimed to undermine the Mejlis as the legitimate representative body of the Crimean Tatars and create the illusion of support for the occupiers among the Crimean Tatar population of the peninsula.

▶ The occupiers have established a film commission and content studio called Yuh. Kino in Crimea based on a project designed to produce propaganda films targeting youth.

▶ In Crimea, the occupation administration systematically coerces educational workers into collecting funds for the needs of Russian occupation forces, often directly deducted from their salaries.

▶ The occupiers have planned another round of illegal archaeological excavations in the territory of Chersonesus Taurica for 2025, threatening the irreversible destruction of this historical monument, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and Ukrainian heritage.

▶ The occupiers continue their policy of religious persecution and repression. This week, a religious school affiliated with the Tauride Muftiate, which operates independently of the occupation-controlled “Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol,” was forcibly closed.

Civil Resistance:

▶ Security forces of the occupation administration have arrested a 31-year-old Yalta resident on fabricated charges of allegedly providing Ukrainian intelligence with information about the locations and movements of Russian occupation forces’ equipment stationed in Crimea.

▶ Oleksii Novikov, a 35-year-old resident of Simferopol, expressed support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces on social media and awaited the de-occupation of the peninsula. The occupiers arrested him, filed a protocol, and forwarded the case materials to a “court.”

▶ A 42-year-old resident of Sevastopol publicly criticized the actions of occupation forces and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine during a conversation with coworkers. The occupiers arrested him, drafted a protocol, and submitted the case materials to a “court.”

▶ Activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement steadfastly resist Russia’s occupation of Crimea, demonstrating resilience and loyalty to Ukraine. They call on the local population to join nonviolent resistance through various forms of protest, including distributing Ukrainian symbols, leaflets urging resistance, and reminders that Crimea is an inseparable part of Ukraine. Despite the constant threat of repression and persecution by the occupation administration, the activists continue their underground efforts, including the removal of propaganda materials that promote Russian narratives.

▶ Activists of the Crimean Combat Seagulls movement tirelessly expose collaborators and Russian war criminals in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, putting themselves at significant risk. They gather and transmit vital information about their residences, movement routes, financial operations, and connections to the occupation administration. In addition, they organize covert acts of resistance, distribute leaflets bearing Ukrainian symbols, and uncover criminal schemes involving collaboration with the occupiers.

▶ Activists of the Zla Mavka movement continue their struggle for freedom on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, transforming its streets into a space of resistance. Through patriotic graffiti, stickers, and leaflets, they showcase the unbreakable Ukrainian spirit and dismantle the myth of total control by the occupiers. Their activities counter Russian propaganda, which distorts reality, and draws attention to human rights violations in the region. Despite the risks of repression and arrest, these activists inspire the peninsula’s residents and stand as symbols of courage, reminding all that the fight for freedom persists and that the liberation of Crimea is inevitable.

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!