Ukrainian strikes have changed the lives and moods of residents in occupied Crimea

The Kremlin’s myth about Crimea’s security has been shattered by the energy, fuel, and economic crises. This has shifted the local population’s sentiment and forced the occupying authorities to restrict information in the public sphere.

This was reported by Krym.Realii. 

A local resident told journalists that in villages in northern Crimea, it has become a common sight to see people standing with buckets, jerry cans, and pots, waiting for the water truck to arrive. In villages, generators are sometimes connected to the pumps, but the water pressure is still insufficient. Furthermore, there are no scheduled water delivery times. 

Electricity consumption in Crimea from July 1 to 20 fell by 42% year-over-year. According to satellite images, nighttime illumination on the peninsula dropped by 83% in mid-July compared to April. According to estimates by Ukrainian military intelligence, at the peak of the July blackout, approximately 1.4 million consumers were simultaneously without power. Entire districts were without power for weeks. 

Since July 19, Russian authorities have stopped publishing lists of settlements without power. The occupying head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, announced restrictions on information in the public sphere.

The situation was exacerbated by a fuel crisis. In Sevastopol, gasoline is sold via QR codes. Under this system, customers can purchase a maximum of 20 liters once a week. In other areas, sales are conducted using ration coupons. Gasoline prices in Crimea rose by 211% year-over-year in July. Inflation on the peninsula reached 15.8%, compared to 6% in Russia. Food prices have risen by an average of 30%. People are forced to cut back. 

Living conditions have changed the tone of private conversations. Increasingly, local residents are saying that the war must end. Such sentiments are emerging even among those who previously held pro-Russian views.

Promises of lower fuel prices in Crimea have ceased. The complexity of the situation was confirmed byVladimir Konstantinov, speaker of the peninsula’s occupying parliament.

Юлія Калабайда