In occupied Crimea, there are still «a considerable number of people» who are eagerly awaiting the de-occupation of the peninsula and the return of Ukraine. This was stated in an interview with the Radio Free Europe project Crimea.Realities by the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Communication with Crimeans
Neizhpapa noted that, although he personally does not communicate with the Crimeans who remain on the peninsula, the Ukrainian military maintains contact with the people there. «I will not put these people, so to speak, in danger right now. I personally do not communicate with Crimea, with the people, but I have more information, we have connections with people who are in Crimea, and despite everything that is happening, the full-scale aggression, they have been supporting us from the very first days, they are waiting for Ukraine to return to our Crimea. And there are quite a lot of them, believe me, even now,» the commander emphasized.
Persecution of Crimeans
Since March 2022, a provision of the administrative offenses code regarding «discrediting» the Russian army has been in effect in the Russian Federation and the occupied territories. This provision is used to suppress anti-war sentiments, persecute activists, and any expressions of dissent against the official position of the Kremlin. The State Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea reported that 1279 cases of «discrediting» the Russian army have been initiated on the peninsula.
The persecution of Crimeans is also intensified by reports from pro-Russian activists. Crimean blogger Oleksandr Talipov regularly publishes personal data of local residents who hold pro-Ukrainian views on his Telegram channel, leading to arrests and accountability.