Main news of the week:
▶ Crimean activist Rustem Seitkhalilov, illegally sentenced to 14 years by Russia, was taken from a prison in the Ulianovsk region of the Russian Federation to an unknown destination.
Invaders’ crimes:
▶ As of September 23, the occupiers have illegally imprisoned 218 people, including 132 Crimean Tatars. Of the total number, 43 are arrested (28 of them are Crimean Tatars), 151 are imprisoned (97 of them are Crimean Tatars), and 26 are without status (6 of them are Crimean Tatars).
▶ There were 979 cases of filing of reports under Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation to the so-called “courts” on the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea. In 875 of these cases, a decision was made to impose an administrative penalty in the form of a fine or to join the case to another case under another article and make a cumulative decision. In 17 cases, the consideration of materials is ongoing.
▶ Employees of the occupation detention center refused to accept documents on the disability and chronic illnesses of completely visually impaired Oleksandr Sizikov, who was illegally sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Russians. On the evening of September 14, Russian invaders took Sizikov from his home and transported him to the detention center in Bakhchysarai without allowing him to pack his belongings. On the night of September 19, he was transferred to Detention Center 1.
▶ The occupiers refused to transfer Crimean civil journalist Remzi Bekirov closer to Crimea. The activist, illegally sentenced to 20 years in prison, is being held in a penal colony in the Republic of Khakasiia, Russia, 5,000 kilometers from home.
▶ For three weeks now, the location of Crimean Tatar political prisoner Aziz Akhtemov has been unknown. On September 4, the occupiers illegally transferred the political prisoner from the prison in the Russian city of Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, to another colony. The security forces refuse to inform his wife where exactly he was transferred.
Forcible conscription:
▶ At least 1231 Russian army soldiers were buried. 776 of them were probably Ukrainian citizens. The number of dead may be higher as Russia conceals its real losses.
▶ The capture of at least 40 Russian servicemen from occupied Crimea has been confirmed, most of whom are likely to be Ukrainian citizens.
▶ Residents of the occupied Yevpatoriia and Dzhankoi report that Russian invaders are actively searching for men of military service age under the guise of “anti-terrorist training” for further illegal conscription to the war against Ukraine.
Militarization of the Crimean Peninsula:
▶ Activists of the ATESH movement observe the occupiers’ continuing active efforts to strengthen their defense positions on the peninsula. In Yevpatoriia, the construction of new fortifications at both entrances to the city continues. At the same time, in Sevastopol, due to the lack of military personnel, the occupiers are engaging civilians in the construction of fortifications on the Balaklava Highway and Kozacha Bay. The agents also noticed the construction of new firing points and fences along the coast in Bakhchysarai district, near Andriivka and Uhlove.
▶ The occupation administration continues to implement a set of measures to strengthen the protection of the so-called “Crimean Bridge.” To increase security, massive metal fences are being erected along the bridge to protect its piers from potential attacks. Additionally, concrete tetrapods and metal structures, such as anti-tank barriers and Czech hedgehogs, are being installed in the water area around the bridge.
Propaganda of the occupation administrations and incitement to hostility:
▶ Due to the negligence of the occupiers, the energy crisis in Crimea is getting aggravated. In Simferopol, more than 50 streets were deprived of electricity due to “scheduled works” to repair electrical equipment. In general, problems with electricity supply are reported in Simferopol, Saky, and Dzhankoi, as well as in the villages of Vyshneve, Bila Skelia, Yabluchne, Myronivka, Smarahdove, and other settlements, more than 10 thousand residents are left without electricity. Still, the occupation administration continues to assure that the situation is under control.
▶ In the temporarily occupied Sevastopol, Russian occupation forces illegally prohibit civilians from swimming in the sea after 20:00. The ban is in effect on the beaches of Fiolent, Avtobat, Komyshova Bay, and other parts of the coast.
Civil resistance:
▶ A 37-year-old resident of Yevpatoriia spoke out negatively about the occupation regime, against Russia’s war of aggression and the actions of its troops, and supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Russian security forces detained him, and the materials were sent to the court.
▶ A lecturer at the “Crimean Branch” of the Russian State University of Justice was suspended from teaching classes after a student from Tula, Russia, complained that the Ukrainian government was constitutional and legitimate.
▶ A 41-year-old resident of Yevpatoriia supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces and distributed national symbols while expressing disagreement with the actions of the Russian occupation forces. Representatives of the occupation administration detained him, and the materials were sent to court.
▶ A resident of Pervomaiske village was detained on trumped-up charges of allegedly having Right Sector materials, which were transferred to court.
▶ The occupation administration arrested a 55-year-old resident of Sevastopol on trumped-up charges of allegedly spreading anti-Russian narratives.
▶ Two residents were illegally detained in occupied Crimea on trumped-up charges of alleged espionage and work for the Security Service of Ukraine.
▶ Activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement continue to actively oppose the Russian occupiers in Crimea. They systematically destroy propaganda materials, distribute patriotic symbols of Ukraine, and leave leaflets calling for resistance on the streets of the peninsula’s cities, including Simferopol, Yalta, and Sevastopol. In addition, members of the movement are spreading Ukrainian slogans through graffiti, patriotic inscriptions on the walls, and places where the occupiers’ propaganda posters are collected, demonstrating the ongoing struggle for the de-occupation of the peninsula.
▶ Activists of the Crimean Combat Seagulls movement continue to expose the personal data of collaborators and Russian war criminals operating in occupied Crimea. The activists publish their residential addresses, contact numbers, travel routes, financial data, and detailed information about their cooperation with the occupation administration and Russian military structures. These actions aim to undermine the efficiency of the occupation administration, create an atmosphere of fear and distrust among collaborators, and weaken Russia’s influence in the region.
▶ The Zla Mavka resistance movement continues to be active in the occupied territories of Crimea, distributing patriotic inscriptions, stickers, and leaflets calling for the fight against the occupation in various cities of the peninsula, including Simferopol, Yalta, Yevpatoriia, Sevastopol, and other settlements. The activists are carrying out actions to dismantle and destroy Russian propaganda materials, supporting the spirit of resistance among the population and spreading information about the liberation of Crimea.
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!