Police in Crimea involve far-right groups in patrolling

In the occupied Crimea, the far-right has expanded the power wing of the "vigilante". In coordination with the police, they began patrolling major cities on the peninsula.

This was reported by Suspilne.Krym.

The influence of the Russian informal movement "Russian community" is growing in the occupied Crimea. After a conference in Simferopol in July this year with the participation of Moscow coordinator Andrey Tkachuk, it was decided to expand the ranks of the movement's power wing, the "squad," and ensure its presence in patrolling Crimean cities.

According to media reports, the "druzhina" is currently patrolling Sevastopol and Simferopol in coordination with the Russian police, and last week it took to the streets of Yevpatoriya for the first time.

One of the Crimean human rights activists explained that the Russian police are willing to cooperate with the "squad" not because of their commitment to the movement, but because of the lack of personnel: "According to my information, city and district police departments in Crimea are currently understaffed by up to 30-40%, and officers by up to 50-60%."

Young people do not join the police because they are afraid of being sent to their own place. In such conditions, the police are unable to patrol the cities on their own, and the help of the so-called "squad" is a real lifesaver for them."

The media noted that the Russian community movement continues to strengthen its presence in Crimea: they are opening offices in Simferopol and Sevastopol, establishing district and city branches, and "druzhynnyky" have intensified patrols in the peninsula's major cities.

As of the end of August, 1536 court cases on charges of so-called "discrediting" the Russian army were registered in the occupied Crimea. In most cases, the courts have already imposed fines. Both women and men were subjected to repression: 51% of the rulings concerned women, 49% - men. In addition, 222 people are illegally detained in Crimea, 133 of whom are representatives of the Crimean Tatar people.

Анна Бальчінос