The dream of the sea has failed: Russians flee the occupied Crimea en masse

An increasing number of Russians who moved to the occupied Crimea after 2014 are now selling their real estate and returning home. They are disappointed not only by the climate but also by the military atmosphere, high prices, problems with work and conflicts with local residents.

This was reported by OBOZ.UA.

According to Crimean realtors, up to half of the newly arrived "residents" of Crimea now want to get rid of their property on the peninsula: either sell their homes or rent them out and leave.

According to one realtor, people came to live by the sea, eat fruit and enjoy the sun. But they could not stand the air raids, the explosions, and the presence of the military at every turn. Military equipment, inspections, silence in the evening - it came as a shock to many.

Since the outbreak of full-scale war, Crimea has increasingly resembled a military zone: convoys of vehicles move along the roads, patrols are constantly present in cities, and document checks are widespread. Frequent drone attacks and explosions make people afraid, especially children who panic during air raids. According to local realtors, all this has become a significant factor in why many Russians are trying to leave the peninsula.

In addition to the security situation, the lack of jobs scares Russians away. This is especially true for office workers, managers, and economists. Earnings are much lower than in the central part of Russia, while prices are often higher than in Moscow. In addition, to start a business or engage in construction, you need connections with local authorities.

The infrastructure is also poor: interruptions in water and electricity, poor road conditions, and weak healthcare. There are no hospitals in the villages, and there are queues and bribes in the cities. Treatment under health insurance is often impossible, and private clinics are expensive.

The newcomers are not happy with the locals either, accusing them of rudeness, backward mentality, and disrespect. In turn, the locals are outraged by the dismissive attitude of the IDPs, the chaos on the roads, garbage, and rising prices.

The climate is also disappointing: hot summers, wet winters with rains and winds, and mud on the streets. After several years of living in Crimea, many people are packing their bags again.

At the same time, Crimea is being turned into a testing ground for ideological pressure on children. The educational system is completely subordinated to Russian propaganda: school textbooks deny the existence of Ukraine. Children from the age of three are involved in programs such as the Eagles of Russia, and from the age of 12 in the pseudo-military Unarmy, which is funded by the Russian budget.

Анна Бальчінос