Crimea: Nearly 1,000 cases filed against residents for supporting Ukraine

russian occupation authorities in Crimea are penalizing residents for expressing support for Ukraine, with nearly 1,000 administrative cases recorded since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion.

According to Iryna Siedova, a researcher at the Crimean Human Rights Group, human rights activists have documented 993 such cases. She shared this information during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“After they [the occupiers – ed.] carried out large-scale detentions of journalists or made it impossible for them to leave and enter Crimea, forcing all pro-Ukrainian journalists to flee, they have now begun targeting ordinary citizens. This policy of persecuting people for their views is becoming increasingly harsh. Many are being fined simply for what they post on social media. Authorities are actively using Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, which mandates punishment for ‘discrediting’ the russian army. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have documented 993 such cases,” Siedova stated.

She noted that these cases include heavy fines for social media posts with phrases like “Crimea is Ukraine,” for displaying Ukrainian symbols, for singing the patriotic song “Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow”, and even for wearing clothing featuring Ukrainian insignia.

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