Russian security forces have sharply intensified repressive measures in temporarily occupied Crimea, following a series of successful Ukrainian strikes. The situation is particularly tense in Simferopol, say pro-Ukrainian Atesh partisans.
On 20 January, Ukraine released a video showing a strike on the Dzhankoi airfield. The Navy stated that during the operation, they “reached the first of the best-protected airfields” and added that they “will reach everything else as well.”
Since 2022, Russia has been firing drones and missiles at Ukrainian-controlled territory from Crimea almost every day.
Occupiers display a nervous reaction to Ukrainian strikes
Such actions show clear signs of panic and disorganization after sustaining losses. The occupiers have launched mass checks and searches for so-called "spotters" in the city.
“Rashists are in panic in Crimea after the latest strikes by Ukraine’s Defense Forces," they explain.
Total road checks, Rosgvardia convoys, and helicopters in the sky
According to the partisans, Russian military personnel and police carried out total vehicle inspections on Simferopol’s ring roads, effectively paralyzing traffic in the city.
At the same time, large-scale movements of military equipment were recorded, including convoys of the Russian National Guard.
Russian helicopters were also actively operating in the air, indicating heightened alert and fear of new strikes.
"Abnormal behavior": loss of control over the situation
Atesh stresses that such activity has a clear explanation, the occupiers’ loss of confidence in their control over the peninsula’s security following strikes on key military facilities.
“Their abnormal and panicked behavior is most likely linked to the recent successful strikes by Ukraine's Defense Forces on military targets in Crimea,” the partisans note.
The search for “spotters” and demonstrative forced actions against the civilian population only underscore the growing internal tension among the Russian military on the peninsula.
