18 March 2014

Putin announced the annexation of Crimea today. In an hour-long speech, he disputed the idea that events in Crimea amounted to Russian aggression claiming that there had been no shots fired or casualties. As if shots and casualties were the only way to demonstrate violence and aggression.

Today, Reshat Ametov was buried in a cemetery outside Simferopol. Ametov disappeared on March 3 when three men in military jackets led him away from the scene of a protest in Simferopol—he was, according to witnesses, going to enlist in the Ukrainian army. His body was found nearly two weeks later near the town of Belogorsk, 50 km east of Simferopol, naked and showing signs of torture and beating. The sentiment in Simferopol and throughout Ukraine is clear: "Putin arrives, and this happens.” (photo: Ametov’s wife and mourners at the burial).

People are afraid that this is only the beginning, while others point out that these quiet killings have been happening for years under Yanukovych’s reign and Kuchma before him. In Kyiv, Maidan, a demonstration is called for tomorrow to show support for all those missing, abducted and silenced in Crimea. 

Hours after Putin’s speech, a Ukrainian soldier was fatally shot by masked unidentified snipers at an army base in Simferopol. This is the first military fatality on the peninsula since the crisis began. The masked unidentified armed men continue suspicions that part of Putin’s plan is to provoke violence in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine to justify full military action in the regions. They (Putin/Russia) continue their rhetoric that they are present in Ukraine to ‘protect Russian citizens and Russian speakers’ from the new Ukrainian government in Kyiv.

The ‘West’ and China, Japan, among other nations have refused to recognise the annexation of Crimea, stating that Russia is isolating itself. Diplomatic talks continue (White House, G7, EU and so on). Many voices from within Russia are continuing to voice concern and opposition to Putin’s actions. However the Kremlin’s hold on the media is tight and little other than pro-Putin, pro-government, news and information is accessible on many media outlets in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, and presumably throughout Russia as well.