The Crimean coast is currently the most dangerous resort in Russia. Not because the front is not that far. Not because of the frankly named goal – the destruction of the Kerch Bridge. And not even because the Defense Forces systematically attack military facilities. The main and almost the only cause of danger is the desire of the Russian authorities to demonstrate the absence of war, calmness, confidence and the power of the Russian army.
For the sake of this illusion, the Russian leadership sacrifices its own civilian population. That is why there are no public recommendations not only to refrain from visiting Crimea but even from visiting beaches.
Yesterday’s example is a reference. Uchkiivka beach in Sevastopol is located next to the Belbek Russian Air Base. Is it a secret for everyone that the Armed Forces of Ukraine beat and will beat all airfields in Crimea? Not only, but in particular. Did the Russian authorities keep people from danger? No. Nor bans for the beach season. Nor shelter on any beach. Even the complete absence of mobile alarm signals. What is it? How is it? We cannot understand, but it is a fact which has already led to the deaths and injuries caused by Russian air defence debris.
The victims on the Sevastopol beach are on the conscience of the Russian occupiers, in particular, the unprofessional work of the Air Defense Forces. But even after that. After the occupation authorities of Crimea declared mourning – did it lead to changes in the organisation of security? No. Because any step towards security is a stone in the garden of Russia’s “confidence”. A blow to her image and a stick in the wheels of propaganda.
That’s why it will continue. Civilians will be covered with debris. Hitting them with air defence missiles silently. Complaint after complaint. Because this is Russia. Where the life of a single person is not worth the fictional power of Putin’s regime.
By Petro Andryushchenko
*These opinions are solely those of the author. The Ukrainian Review takes no position and is not responsible for the author’s words.
Petro Andryushchenko was an adviser to the mayor of Mariupol. After the Russian Federation started war in Ukraine in February 2022, he became the de facto “voice” of Mariupol.
On his Telegram channel, “Andryushchenko Time“, he tells the truth about the horrors of the occupation, the deportation of people by the Russian occupants and the “filtration” camps in Donbas.
Stanislav Kinka adapted this text for The Ukrainian Review.
