Putin Is Already Turning Crimea Into Russia

Ahead of Crimea’s referendum next week on whether to join Russia, its citizens are already getting a taste of what life there is like: Russian TV channels in place of Ukrainian channels, no room for dissent, and arbitrary harassment.

Since unmarked Russian forces invaded the Crimean peninsula and assumed control, human rights groups and media outlets have reported a number of attacks on pro-Ukrainian activists and journalists who are trying to cover events in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied the presence of his soldiers in Crimea, referring to them instead as pro-Russian self-defense units.

Amnesty International stressed the need for human rights monitors in the region in a statement issued on Friday.

“Attempting to monitor the human rights situation in Crimea has become a near impossible task,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director. “Self-styled Crimean self-defense groups are harassing pro-Ukrainian protesters, journalists, and human rights monitors with complete impunity.”

Various armed groups — including Cossacks, Serbian war veterans, and unidentified gunmen — have flocked to Crimea to support pro-Russian demonstrations in its streets, amplifying insecurity and fear among residents who are not in favor of the occupation.

On Sunday, roughly 100 Cossacks and pro-Russian militiamen attacked a pro-Ukrainian rally in Sevastopol, beating people with fists and whips. BBC journalist Ben Brown, who was present, described the violence on Twitter as “very savage — a terrifying moment that was a glimpse of the abyss #crimea hovers over.”

There are also reports of harassment against Crimea’s Muslim Tartars, a minority that genrally favors maintaining the union with Ukraine. Crosses appearing on their doors are reminiscent of marks used by Stalin’s forces in 1944 ahead of a mass deportation of Tatars to Siberia and Central Asia.

The March 16 referendum is widely expected to be in Russia’s favor. Pro-Russian Crimeans are distributing leaflets and posters heavy on Russian nationalism and World War II symbolism. Meanwhile, Russia has pledged $1.1 billion in financial assistance if Crimeans vote in favor of joining the country.

On Saturday, Vladimir Konstantinov, the speaker of Crimea’s legislature, was quoted by the Russian news service RIA Novosti as saying, “The transition from one jurisdiction to the other is a complicated process, but I think in the case of favorable outcome of the referendum, the Crimeans will be able to feel as citizens of another country within one month.”

In an interview with a local TV station the following day, Konstantinov rejected any dialogue with the interim Ukrainian government. “The incumbent authorities are absolutely illegitimate, they were brought to power by guns, knives, and baseball bats,” he said. “While they are in office, there will be no dialogue not only with them, but also with the rest of the country.”