Zhduna and "Russian World"

Nowhere are waiting for the end of the Ukrainian campaign with such anxiety as in the Crimea. What are the defenders of the “Crimean Spring” and ordinary residents of the peninsula that are stuck between Ukraine and Russia?

Crimea is preparing for defense. In the media, social networks and telegram channels in the last couple of months, photos of trenches and fortifications that are prepared in the north and west of the peninsula regularly appear.

Western and Ukrainian politicians also regularly discuss the return of the annexed peninsula to Ukraine - diplomatic or military means. On Sunday, in an interview with the French television channel, TF1 Info President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the “liberation of Crimea from Russian invaders” has not yet begun, but Ukrainians have a willingness and desire to return their territories. “When it begins, you will definitely hear about it,” Zelensky emphasized.

The French correspondent asked if the president was ready to spend a vacation in Crimea in the summer of 2023. “In the summer, it would be a good option, there is good weather,” Mr. President hinted at a quick resolution of the issue.

If at the beginning of the year the statement of Ukrainian politicians on the return of the annexed peninsula seemed to Bravada, then after the surrender of the Kharkov region and Kherson, such statements among the inhabitants of Crimea and Sevastopol cause very acute emotions.

The correspondent of Novaya Gazeta Europe went to the Crimea, looked at how the Crimeans are living and what the Crimeans, stuck between two identities, are being prepared, and how those who will protect the peninsula are preparing for the upcoming offensive.

"Shche did not die of Ukraine"

Valentina Ivanovna (surname is unknown), a pensioner from Yalta, works on the embankment with a “street DJ” - puts songs that passers -by order. On November 13, in my misfortune, she turned on the song of Verka Serduchka “Golyanochka” popular in previous years in the previous years in Crimea. As a result of a reckless choice of a pensioner, about 30 people danced at the embankment of the resort city under the chorus of the song: "Shche did not die, if we walk like that." “Vigilant citizens” shot the video and reported where they should.

“Some sabbath was arranged on the Yalta embankment, some marginals were dancing under the song of Verka Serduchka and the screaming“ Ukraine did not die, ”the pro-Russian blogger Alexander Talipov in his telegram channel was indignant. - I repeat, we are too tolerant of ideological enemies, we need to beat to the bloody snot at the slightest manifestation of anti -Russian behavior. I am sure that these are refugees who apparently did not understand where they got and how to behave. You can organize a departure to them to the territories still controlled by Ukraine, let's say swim through the Black Sea.

A few days later, a logical video appeared on the network with an apology of Valentina Ivanovna.

“Dear Russians, the sons of our Motherland, forgive me,” the pensioner said in the video chopping in the video. - I love you all. I did not specifically put it. I wanted to please people with a disco. An early victory to our sons and return home. We will win. I am for Russia. Forgive me, I beg you like a mother, like a grandmother.

In the Crimea since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, there are hundreds of such stories. Pro-Russian telegrams-channels regularly publish denunciations of Crimeans and Sevastopol residents from the pro-Ukrainian and anti-war position. In the best case, the victims of such publications are finished with a prophylactic conversation with security forces or bang-patriots, poisoning in social networks and an apology to the video. In the worst: fine, loss of work and business, arrest or criminal term. At the same time, both bloggers and Crimean authorities are increasingly recognizing growing pro -Ukrainian sentiments among the inhabitants of the peninsula. For Crimeans and Sevastopol residents who sympathize with Ukraine, even a new word appeared - “Zhduna”.

The mood in the city since the beginning of the war has really changed a lot. Some not so long ago radical pro -Russian Sevastopols begin to soften rhetoric. Cars with the Z-Simvolic on the roads are almost never found. Familiar drivers say that with every month of the war on the roads of the city there were less and less, and after the announcement of mobilization there were almost no left. Now this symbol of the "Party of War" can mainly be seen in service cars or with volunteers of pro -government movements.

Increasingly, the possible return of Ukraine speaks with feigned boredom and as if indifferent: "He will return and return, I did nothing and did not participate anywhere."

I meet with Nikolai Smirnov (the name changed), who understands a lot about mood in Crimea by virtue of his activity. He used to be engaged in charity, but after the start of hostilities he turned his work - he did not want to help people who support the war. First of all, Nikolai asks for anonymity - he is afraid of repression.

-After the surrender of the Kharkov region, after the declaration of partial mobilization, after the release of Kherson, after the Russian media reported the exchange of Azovites for Medvedchuk, even the most frantic cheers-patriots were in shock. And even more so after the Ukrainian drones took the bay in the very center of Sevastopol on October 29 - and all this vaunted defense was useless. Such events push people to the idea that the liberation of Crimea Ukraine can become a reality. Although with this thought since February 2014, all the inhabitants of the peninsula live in one way or another.

Now the local propagandists have no time to sleep. After the change of Kherson in social networks, they actively pump the topic that if Ukraine comes, cleaning and torture will begin, Nikolay notes.

- In the “patriotic” social networks, the question of the belonging of Crimea is already raised at such an angle: either we, or us. We are talking about life and death. And when a person feels a danger to his life, he will protect himself, his house. Everyone wants to survive. In this state, it is very easy to manage by people. You can inspire any thought to them. As this happened in 2014.

Nevertheless, the worst thing is now those who were at the forefront of the Crimean Spring. Former and current Crimean deputies, officials, pro -Russian activists who demanded the “Crimean” long before it became the mainstream in 2014.

Eugene (the name changed) is one of those who stood on checkpoints in 2014. In Ukraine, he faces a criminal case. There are several tens of thousands of people on the entire peninsula. In the "Russian World" he has long been disappointed, he did not support the war, Putin is not particularly either, he did not go to the military registration and enlistment office.

“I have relatives in Ukraine, and there are enough other things here - work, the cottage must be completed,” he explains his reluctance to go to fight or emigrate. - And in general, who should I leave for old parents for? Who will take care of them except me? I can’t leave, and I don’t want to - this is my house, here are the graves of my ancestors. I will take weapons in my hands in only one case: if the fighting reaches Crimea. I will protect my house. I have no other choice.

According to him, from the Sevastopol residents who participated in the events of the Crimean Spring, approximately 30%went to this campaign. The rest are not eager for war. Almost everyone negatively relate to hostilities: “War is always bad,” Eugene sighs. True, this position does not affect the mass support of the decisions of the Russian government and the invasion of Ukraine.

The fact that Ukraine can return the Crimea, among those who participated in Self -Defense, mainly say, so far only joking: “If anything, I will go to fish for the Kuban,” Eugene laughs. He does not seem to believe in such an opportunity seriously. However, in the end, he admits that many are ready to fight if the fighting reaches the peninsula.

“Even those who condemn the war are ready to take weapons to defend Sevastopol, fearing physical reprisals,” he says. - Ukraine will not forgive Crimea 2014. We talked a lot with people from mainland Ukraine after joining. I do not think that since 2014 they began to love us more. Many went to Ukraine in 2014 - 2015 to close accounts and collided there with ordinary people. They have different thinking. Some Ukrainian border guards said: "You ****** (end), if that." This is not media reports, this is a conversation from life. And if there is a power capture of the peninsula, then in the Crimea there will be a bloody bath.

- And if the most senior Ukrainian authorities guarantee amnesty and safety to the Crimeans, ordinary participants in self -defense and activists?

- There are authorities, Zelensky, but there are ordinary people embittered by the war. Military personnel who are still on statements by politicians. The Ukrainians have a negative attitude towards Crimeans, not like their citizens. And it scares. Even relatives do not have an attitude to relatives, but as to enemies. They try to explain to them that I do not throw any shells, do not shoot, do not support, but do not care. And strangers will come with weapons ...

- Are you afraid that Russia will surrender Crimea, like the Kharkov region or Kherson?

-Crimea will be different. Firstly, it is much easier to defend Crimea. The approaches to the Black Sea are not very good for them. Secondly, for Russia to pass the Black Sea Fleet base is a story. This means losing the entire Black Sea Fleet. Russia has enough capacities to defend Crimea. There are a million people of conscripts. They can be used, but it should be declared war. This is spelled out in a military doctrine.

The question of what to do with the Crimeans in the event of the return of Crimea is worried not only by the Crimeans themselves - it also excites Ukraine.

The representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Tamila Tasheva in a conversation with DW reported that there is a strategy for reintegration of the peninsula. According to her, during the occupation in Crimea at least half a million Russian citizens arrived, the stay of which in this territory will be considered illegal after the resumption of Ukraine’s control over the generated by the Russian Federation of the peninsula. At the same time, according to her, they will be able to obtain permission to stay in the Crimea if they had children, or if they are married to citizens of Ukraine. The Ukrainian side is already working on the creation of a strategy on economic and legal issues on the territory of the peninsula after de -Ukrainian.

Ukraine is developing an algorithm for actions and regarding those who were forced to cooperate with the administration of the annexed Crimea.

- In accordance with the Geneva Convention and the International Humanitarian Law, if you only live in the Crimea and communicate with the occupation administration, or even work with it, but do not commit war crimes, they will not pursue you, ”she says.

According to her, Ukraine is developing appropriate provisions to give a signal to citizens on the peninsula that they are not threatened with persecution if they did not commit war crimes.

But specific details of the strategies are still unknown. It is uncertainty that scares the inhabitants of the peninsula the most. Uncertainty - and fear of retaliation, if Ukraine returns.

Protection for defenders

The weaker the position of Russia at the front and in the defense of the frontline peninsula becomes, the more intense the atmosphere in society becomes. The authorities of Sevastopol began to think about bomb shelters and training in the population of the first medical care in the summer, after the first attacks of Ukrainian drones. In mid-October, on the basis of the headquarters of the pro-government volunteers, “We together” went through master classes on survival in extreme conditions and lessons of theoretical combat training for men: topography, drunken management, handling weapons ... They told how to evacuate to properly, how to act with a threat of radiation infection, and so on. After the largest attack of drones on October 29, the program expanded even more. Moreover, pro-government activists, as if fearing something, began to publish photo reports on social networks with the shut-off faces of the participants.

In general, in Sevastopol and Crimea - the mood in the spirit of "everything for the front, everything for victory." Women knit socks, sew their underpants, thermal underwear, and recently in Simferopol they even began to produce bulletproof vests. About the fact that the military was not provided with everything necessary, even propagandists from federal television channels said, no worse than the most radical oppositionists asking “where is the money”. But to acquire the necessary equipment for the defender of Crimea, who returned to the “native harbor”, is not easy even at its own expense.

In Voentorg, almost all the urago-patriotic T-shirts were concentrated, which disappeared from souvenir shops on the embankment of Sevastopol: here is Putin with a bare torso, and Shoigu, and bears, and Z.

At the counter, a middle -aged woman chooses a military uniform.

“There is such a coloring for 3300, but there is one for 4560,” the saleswoman shows from different sides. - This one is on lightning, and this one is on buttons.

- Let's go on buttons. It is more reliable, ”the woman sighs and reaches for a bank card.

With protective ammunition, everything was very sad here. Neither body armor, nor first -aid kits with bloodstains, nor other important things for the front on the windows are visible.

According to legend, we collect a relative-volunteer. The saleswoman immediately puts on a duty sympathetic-exiled expression on the face:

- Nothing, everything was bought. We have a balaclava on the remnants, there are some sizes of berets, backpacks. So far it is all. Something else will come, but we will not have “Bronnikov” for sure. There were 1550 rubles, probably it will be so. Tactical glasses should come. They cost from 800 to 2550 rubles. Tactical gloves remained on a small hand.

There is no thermal underwear either. I peep into a list of things for mobilized equipment copied from some kind of ura-patriotic public and read the seller. "Tactical knee pads, tactical glasses, active headphones, unloading, military backpack ...".

- Find out what size of the backpack he needs. Because the first time they took huge capital, then they began to take small ones. For movement, the average or small, ”continues to explain the saleswoman in a weekly tone, as if we were not sending a man for war, but we choose socks for a trip with friends for fishing. - There are bags. It can be taken to get to the place, and there it will already be inconvenient to walk with her. If they move, carry a bag and weapons in their hands ...

Killed by propaganda

There are more cargoes. With external serenity, the Sevastopol residents whisper about who they brought to the small homeland in parts in a closed coffin. And who - just went missing.

The representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva at the end of September reported that during the war 159 Crimeans died. "80 of them were probably citizens of Ukraine." According to the September data, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Peninsula are in captivity. The Russian authorities do not publish statistics of the dead. Data on losses among mobilized Crimeans are also unknown from any of the warring parties.

It is possible to evaluate the consequences of the war at least partially at the Sevastopol cemetery located in the 5th kilometer microdistrict. On the outskirts of the graveyard - about a hundred fresh graves. Here, with administrative pomp they are buried by the dead in Ukraine. Over the graves, gusts of sharp winds tear flags: military intelligence, Airborne Forces, Tricolors, Andreevsky flags and other banners of military units.

There are already three rows with graves and the fourth began to fill up. The space between the graves is strewn with gravel. Here the Russian authorities want to make a memorial with a chapel. On many graves there are still no plates with the name and title. But all of them are forced by memorial wreaths in the flowers of the tricolor, on which the black ribbon "from the governor of Sevastopol and the Government of Sevastopol" is attached.

Many graves, besides these wreaths, have nothing more. Until the time has come to install the tombstone, some of the graves are trying to improve their means with improvised means - they sprinkle with color gravel in the colors of the Andreevsky or Russian flag. The number of tricolors literally cuts the eyes. In each burial, the flag of Russia will be stuck. In this section of the cemetery, they are everywhere, as if at a pro -government rally. And it becomes terribly from this patriotic rally of the dead.

Having looked closely, I notice the scarlet banner with the inscription "Lenin Komsomol." There are no signs, but I know that there is my acquaintance, the former head of the Sevastopol cell of the Komsomol Alexander Cheremenov. So far, any rallies, except for the state, have not been banned, local communists often supported other protesters, and sometimes they themselves went to unauthorized shares. And this spring he believed the Russian propagandists. He went to war as a volunteer. He was killed.

While his grave is from the edge. But near the authorities prudently left enough space for new graves.