Category: Government & Politics

Despite recent scandal with its turbines deployed in violently Russia annexed Crimea, German company Siemens AG plans to develop cooperation with the country, which goes on killing civilians on other countries territories.

The range of Siemens AG business interests in Russia is quite wide: in addition to turbines, the company produces electric freight locomotives Sinara and Granit, electric trains Desiro, supplies Germany-manufactured trains Sapsan to monopolist Russian Railways.

Along with that, despite official declarations of CEO Joe Kaeser on toughening of company’s activity control, it became known that Siemens AG has intentions to take part in modernization of Crimean railroad infrastructure by providing operation of Desiro Premium trains, developed and manufactured jointly with Ural Locomotives JSC, through the territory of Russia occupied peninsula.

In the given context, it is of a great interest to recall that German company signed in 2017 a contract on manufacturing of electric trains Desiro with Russian Federal Passanger Company, which is, as well as Russian Railways, under international sanctions.

In other words, participation of Siemens AG in organization of high-speed service between Russia and Crimea makes German company an accomplice in Kremlin criminal schemes, throwing a shadow on Germany as a state, which international positions become more and more vulnerable.

Should we expect Siemens authorities to really change company’s policy and turn its efforts back to civilized course?

In search of answer we can address to investigation by Suddeutsche Zeitung journalists who found out that to conclude lucrative contracts Siemens AG spends billions of dollars every year to buy “the right” businessmen and politics. And as long as German leadership keeps overlooking Siemens AG backstairs policy, we can assume that a part of this black cash settles down in their pockets.

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Aggressive policies towards neighboring countries, gross violations of international law and breaking up of the international security system have compelled the international community to impose political and economic sanctions against Russia. Military and technical cooperation have become the object of the severest restrictions.

US has taken the strong stand on the issue, and still keep adhering to the commitment of tightening the sanctions regime, especially in the issues of countering strengthening of the military capabilities of the Russian armed forces. However, despite of this, some US companies keep cooperating with the state which is widely thought as a political outlaw. Moreover, they help the Russian armed forces to develop the weapons used in military conflicts in the Ukrainian Donbass and against the civilian population in Syria. As current situation shows there is no guarantee that Russia will not use such weapons against other states.

Here are just a few examples of US-Russian military and technical cooperation. Since 2014, the US FLIR supplies thermal imagers to the Naval Forces of the Russian Federation. Russia equips anti-terror vessels under 03160 Raptor project (P-415 and P-425 ships are in Sevastopol in the annexed Crimea), special fast attack crafts BK-10, BK-16 and BK-18, as well as small missile cruisers (Storm and Okhotsk SMC) under 22800 project manufactured by Sevastopol “More” plant with US-produced thermal imagers.

In addition, study of the two Russian Orlan-10 UAVs (side numbers 10212 and 11057) shot down in the east of Ukraine in 2014 and 2017 showed that almost all electronics, motors and optics were of US Filtronetics, Texas Instruments, Linear, Pulse Electronics production. Also, the analysis of UAV production statistics in Russia indicates that their production is constantly increasing. Thus, in February 2014, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation owned about 500 UAVs, about 650 UAVs were delivered to the armed forces of Russia by April 2015, and about 1000 units in November 2016. Significant growth of Orlan UAVs production in Russia from early 2014 (4 times) shows that the necessary foreign-manufactured spare parts have been acquired just during the military invasion in Ukraine, i.e. during the sanctions regime.

This means that contrary to the official Washington’s statements, US companies keep military and technical cooperation with Russia, disregarding the official stance of their country.

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On April 19-21, 2018, Crimea will host the Forth Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF-2018). The forthcoming event was preceded by extensive agitational promotional campaign both in Russian and foreign political and business circles. This event is actively boosted by the Russian and Crimean authorities. Russian media diligently report increased interest to the discussion of topical political and economic problems of the international importance within this platform, growing audience of a forum from year to year which is evidenced by the positive statistics: the first forum was visited by 600 delegates, the second hosted 1100, and the third was allegedly visited by more than 2200 people, including 250 foreign participants from 46 countries of the world.

Today Russian and Crimea media triumphantly announce more than 3000 participants including more than 500 foreign guests from 60 countries to visit forum this year. Among them politicians, representatives of business and expert community from all around the world are expected. Fancy that! The Yalta Forum is represented as ‘one of the largest business events in the economic life among the four similar events, organized in Russia’.

Well, what are the results of previous forums? As a matter of a fact, there is nothing. Majority of previously approved projects have not even started, many investors folded their activity in Crimea on the whole. Hardly any representative of big business visited last year Yalta Forum. However, following the forum outcomes, it was declared that the authorities succeeded to sign series of the documents ‘with very significant and influential investors’, for example:

– agreement between the “Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea” and the “Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Abkhazia” on trade and economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation;

– agreement between the “Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Crimea” and the “Ministry of Economic Development of Abkhazia”;

– agreement between the cities of Gagra and Yalta;

– agreement between the KSK Group and administration of Yalta city for the implementation of “the investment project”(!) on construction of an apartment complex;

– agreement between the KSK Group and administration of Alushta city for the implementation of the “Construction of Apartment Complex ‘Sea Quarter’ in Alushta” project;

– agreement with the Russian investors on development of the Simferopol airport.

For sure, entering into “investment agreements” with Abkhazia breakaway region confirms “high” interest of foreign business to invest in Crimea. And signing of the “agreements” on construction of high-rise building looks like an attempt of the Forum promoters to cover the investment nudity with ‘a fig leaf’ in the form of “grand” construction plans of “Sea Quarter” apartment complex. Indeed, the mountain has brought forth a mouse!

Well, following the outcomes of previous “economic” forums held in Yalta it may be concluded that this event is rather political than economic. Its organizers pursue the only goal – to prove that Europe has recognized the Russian status of Crimea. By holding such events on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Russia expects that involvement of foreigners and massive information campaign will show to European community, international organizations and primarily United Nations General Assembly the need of lifting sanctions and resolutions condemning Russia’s actions on Crimea. According to Moscow’s intention, it should promote legalization of illegal actions of Russian Federation on the peninsula and blenching their image. Generally, the message is as follows – legality of Crimea annexation by Russian Federation.

In this regard pro-Russian media actively promote ‘fearlessness’ of some deputies of the European parliament and representatives of marginal parties receiving financial sops from Moscow, parliaments of some European states (Germany and Austria in particular) which are going to participate in “forum” despite of the sanctions with regard to Crimea. However, this is the case of greed and foolishness rather than fearlessness. Only well motivated persons can hazard their reputation attending such event and breaking the laws of other state. It is common known that entrance and departure of foreign citizens as a part of official delegations or in their private capacity on the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea are gross violations of international law. Such actions contravene the United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 68/262 confirming territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as the Law of Ukraine “On ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens and a legal regime within the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine”, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 68/262 of June 4, 2015 No. 367 “On the approval of the procedure for entering and exit from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine”.

Ukraine has repeatedly declared that they treat such violations as unfriendly gesture from politicians, officials and citizens of the foreign states which thus not only support violation of territorial integrity of Ukraine by Russian Federation but also encourage Moscow to the further aggressive and hostile actions contradicting international law and destroying the international security system. Ukraine declares intention to deliver international assignments to the states, which nationals participated in the illegal forum.

As for the intention of some businessmen to arrange business in occupied Crimea attending the forum in Yalta it is possible to speak about the highest manifestation of foolishness from their side. The European Union and the USA forbade implementation of new joint projects, investment, granting loans, acquisition of infrastructure facilities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in telecommunication, energy, transport and tourism areas. Regulation authorities of the EU Member States perform continuous monitoring of execution of restrictive instructions by European entities. Those who violate sanction regime may be subjects to criminal sanctions in the form of real term of imprisonment and imposition of a heavy financial penalty.

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It was initially known that elections of the President of Russia in the Crimea amid determination of a great part of the world not to recognize its annexation was quite a problematic and painful point for the Russian government in the context of recognition of legitimacy of these elections. Considering neither of these states and acknowledged international public organizations will officially send their observers to the Crimea, Russia resorted to hybrid alternative with the invitation of pseudo-observers in the Crimea to monitor this event. Such observers were persons hand picked by the competent Russian authorities and entrusted to play a role of the international observers to monitor the elections of the President of the Russian Federation in the Crimea.

Thus, for the purpose of monitoring the elections Russia has organized the visit of “the international delegation” to the Crimea, which united the citizens of more than 20 countries of the world – France, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, Norway, Cyprus, Greece, Denmark, Great Britain, Pakistan, Venezuela, Italy, Lebanon, Austria, Malaysia, Latvia, Afghanistan.

“The international observers” were accompanied by representatives of the Russian Federation who showed them designed and prepared in advance election districts. Foreign guests visited 10 districts in Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Alushta, Bakhchisarai. At the same time in order to avoid abnormal situations the so-called observers were not admitted to the districts in sore points of the state where Crimean Tatars reside.

Those above-mentioned foreign citizens who feel sympathy for Kremlin policy and played a role of the international observers were:

Johan Bäckman – a citizen of Finland, a member of the Association of Friendship between Russia and Finland, the head of the “Antifascist Committee of Finland”, the representative of the so-called “DNR” in Finland;

Daria Skippari-Smirnova – a citizen of Finland, head of the Association of Friendship between Russia and Finland;

Thierry Mariani – a citizen of France, a deputy of the National Assembly of France, a representative of the Association Dialogue Franco-Russe;

Andreas Maurer – a citizen of Germany, head of the organization “People’s Diplomacy” in Germany;

Hendrik Weber – a citizen of Norway, head of the organization “People’s Diplomacy” in Norway;

Mette Rosenlund – a citizen of Norway, the wife of Hendrik Weber. Journalist;

Marco Marsili – a citizen of Italy, an associate of the Portuguese Center for International Studies;

Skue Kutra-Kukuma – a citizen of Cyprus, a member of the Cyprus Parliament;

Kline Preston – a citizen of the USA, head of the NGO Institute for Progress Through Law;

Elhas Tamim Mohammad – a citizen of Afghanistan, leader of the Afghan youth movement;

Ulf Grönlund – a citizen of Sweden, former head of the parish of St. Catherine in St. Petersburg;

Hollender Lars Bjoerndau – a citizen of Denmark, a former member of the OSCE missions;

Jacques Miyar – a citizen of France, mayor of the city of Meson-Laffitte;

Jerome Lambert – a citizen of France, a member of the Socialist Party, nephew of former French President François Mitterrand;

Vanya Dobreva – a citizen of Bulgaria, former Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Bulgaria;

Alexander Grönlund – a citizen of Sweden;

Maria Olshanskaya – a citizen of Israel;

Tatyana Mele – a citizen of Ukraine;

Elias Demetriou – a citizen of Cyprus;

Valdemgaberi Stefano – a citizen of Italy;

Selvarezh Neskhan – a citizen of Malaysia;

Daniel Christopher Valander – a citizen of Sweden;

Eyme Bernard Ulrich – a citizen of Germany;

Roma Monfa Narcissus – a citizen of Spain;

Diego Gulen Perez – a citizen of Spain;

Muhamed Al-Hamali – a citizen of Great Britain;

Diana Lutsker – a citizen of Israel;

Sophocles Jani Sophocli – a citizen of Cyprus;

Eero Hult – a citizen of Finland;

Gilbert Doktorov – a citizen of the USA;

Dragan Gifkovich – a citizen of Serbia;

Alexander Gaponenko – a citizen of Latvia.

Peculiar attention should be paid to the fact that the visit of representatives of the German pro-Russian party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) took place separately being organized by the Deputy Committee for Interethnic Relations the so-called “The State Council of Crimea”, the leader of the German diaspora of Crimea Mr. Hempel. The following AfD representatives visited the Crimea as “international observers” for the presidential elections in the Russian Federation:

Garold Latch – deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Berlin;

Roger Bekamp – deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Eugen Schmidt – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia, head of the organization “Russian Germans for AfD”;

Nick Fogel – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Helmut Seifer – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Georg Pazdersky – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin, a member of the AfD Presidium;

Güner Lindeman – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin;

Hoog Bronson – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin;

Rainer Balzer – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Baden-Württemberg;

Thomas Rekemann – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Markus Fronmaier – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Baden-Württemberg, leader of the youth wing of AfD;

Sven Tritschler – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia.

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MBH media received WhatsApp audio records of calls made by alleged pals of the militants of Wagner Private Military Company dislocated in Syria. They tell details of US aviation attack as of February 7. According to them, instead of Syrian troops there was an attack on Russian contractors who suffered great losses – approximately 200 persons. Indifference of the Ministry of Defence caused tellers’ peculiar fury as it appears that they decided to conceal the deaths of hundreds Russians in Syria.

Record No. 1

Hi, Ilya. Here is what you may watch on TV news, 25 Syrian military men are injured in Syria and so on, well, actually we were those defeated. 200 murdered in one company, what a f***, 200 dead, 10 in another, I don’t know about the third but they also suffered seriously. That is, three companies got losses. Yankees started with artillery, and then four copters joined in turnaround, shot one and all from heavy-caliber machine guns. We had nothing at all besides machine guns, no man-portable air defense system or something else. That was truly hell! Yankees definitely knew that we, the Russians, were there. Our guys set sights on the plant, and they were there. In short, we were pressed severely. I have just had a talk with guys, they are sitting there and hitting the bottle. Too many went missing. That’s bullshit. F***, another humiliation. They disregard us, treat us as devilry. I think, we will tuck tail, our government, nothing will be done in retort, no one will be f**** for this. That’s our losses.

Record No. 2 – the same voice reports the new details on the action and precise casualty state

– Look, the lad has just called. They formed a column, some 300-700 meters to the positions, one column went ahead, another stayed in a column in 300 meters, those raised the American flag and artillery started hitting them hard, then helicopters arrived and shot everyone, people run…. 215 dead totally. We were put under press. F***, they laid down a marker. What were ours expectations? That they might escape on their own? That they would get afraid? Too many guys – was it difficult to identify? They shot static column by artillery, no infantry came forward anymore, they shot by artillery, f****** disaster.

Record No. 3 – another man quotes casualty status

– Look, bro, 177 killed – that is from 5th company only, the second was almost unaffected, well, the 5th one was all destroyed. They were attacked by aviation, helicopters, artillery, the Kurds engaged along with Americans – the guys had no chances, and the 5th almost totally fell. Those who survived are bad. This night we are waiting for Tyulpan (heavy aircraft to carry murdered – MBH media). Ok, stay in touch. Viktorovich, it seems all our guys are also gone (died – MBH media).

According to our source that provided us with audio records, along with Wagner Private Military Company the special forces of the Ministry of Defence, i.e. professional soldiers, were also thrown into the battle with Syrian democratic forces near Deir Ezzor. They suffered from US attack as well. MBH media has no other evidence of professional soldiers’ disposition in detachments attacked by US soldiers. The source states that US aviation has ‘worked over the targets’ for ‘almost four hours’, wiped out a lot machines, moreover, Lockheed AC-130 Spectre plane (flying artillery battery for the support of land arms at the battlefield) along with helicopters was involved in digesting the Russian group.

On February 7, US military command officially stated the US-led forces of international coalition delivered a blow over military forces tolerable to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The shot was delivered following the attack of pro-Assad forces on the positions of Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the US.

On February 8, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation stated that no Russian soldiers in Syria suffered as a result of coalition attack. The military department stated ‘there are no Russian soldiers in this area of Syrian province Deir Ezzor’.

However, the next day former defence minister of the Donetsk Peoples’ Republic Igor Strelkov who maintains ties with a number of Donbas war veterans, presently involved in Syrian warfare as part of Wagner, reported the Russia’s losses: ‘two Wagner tactical units were attacked by the US aviation. One of them was almost wiped off, another was not left a rag on.’ A bit later Strelkov gave some details: 5th assault detachment, armoured and artillery units were wiped off, near Hisham settlement.

Information provided by Strelkov overlaps with that from the records. One of the talker reported heavy losses in the 5th detachment, which was almost totally wiped off.

It is basically clear why Wagners attacked the Syrian Democratic Forces (the coalition of Kurds and Arab opposition secular groups). The plant which was their target is by all appearances is an oil refinery got under control of SDF and US militants behind them. The fight for oil deposits and oil refining is main Wagner’s profile which operates in behalf of “Euro Police” company.

Euro Police is actively involved into oil business in Syria and is tied to Putin’s cook Eugen Prigozhin along with Wagner. Upon the agreement with the Damask regime Euro Police should control the significant part of Syrian oil refinery, though the SDF does not coordinate their activities with Assad’s dictatorial regime.

However, that is a well known fact that SDF is under US patronage, there are a lot of US soldiers in their detachments, US aviation also provides SDS with air support. Attacking SDF in the name of any business interests is a self-destructive action.

I must admit that the attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces are far from what is meant as ‘fight with terrorism’: SDF are long-time uncompromising IS enemy. That is by their forces a significant part of eastern Syria was released from IS along with seizure of the Syrian caliphate capital Rakka.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment appearing information about Russian losses from US attacks. Recent information from the Ministry – that related to February 8th: there are no Russian soldiers in this area of Syrian province Deir Ezzor.

Formula ‘Russians do not left their friends’ is still used in thrilling Russian films. The military men get used to denial of losses. This trick is well used since the war in Ukraine, and became even easier to employ – instead of deathly scared boys from the hard-core unit the real contractors go into action, who know the risk and do not have military card in their pocket.

In no way we would like Kremlin to initiate the Third World War over Syria. However, the question is Russian citizens and their fate and protection fall in the scope of obligation of at least the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if not the Ministry of Defence.

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When three weeks ago the Russian parliament has declared its refusal to take part in the work of PACE session, it was understood by majority as self-imposition of sanctions in order to avoid annual execution by condemnation of illegal actions of the Russian Federation in Crimea and Donbas and subsequent approval of introduced political restrictions in respect of the participation of the Russian delegation in its work. However, that was not the case. PACE opening has shown that Kremlin has not left its attempts to bypass sanctions and is going to mobilise all the attempts for diplomatic and financial pressure in order to get back to PACE in 2018.

The means towards this end include the use of prepaid influence agents accompanied by the so-called ‘useful idiots’ which either through depraved feeling or through incomprehension facilitate promotion of Kremlin’s revanchist plans. I may suppose with regret that one of the above mentioned instruments is the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr. Jagland. Since before current PACE session during his tour to the capitals of the world he persuaded his high-ranking partners in advisability of supporting dialog with Russia and its recall to the PACE conference room, undermining thereby the West world’s line in the issues of the Russian aggression, violation of territorial integrity and military acquisition of the territory of other state. This line was supported during current PACE session as well. In his Assembly report he proceeded further stating that annexation and occupation of the territories should not be the reason for imposition of sanctions. “The Organisation’s fundamental mission was to protect the individual against the arbitrary use of power by their own state, and conflicts such as the one between Ukraine and Russia over the annexation of Crimea should not prevent both parties being held responsible for protecting their people’s rights”. He advanced an opinion that Russia should get back to the PACE even before its summit scheduled for the next year. Moreover, the official proposes not only excuse Russia, but to change the regulations in such a way to make impossible revocation of authority of delegations from different states. The question is the amendments of the rules for the Assembly. According to Mr. Jagland, only direct infringements of Arts 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights, namely capital punishment, tortures, forced labour or slavery and no punishment without law instead of annexation and occupation of alien territories may be the reason for sanctions.

One may feel as if the chimeras of the past rose from the chasm of the previous century and speak from the mouth of PACE Secretary General: there is no way to divide Europe, the only true solution is living friendly and conflicts may not prevent it. That was such highly humanist considerations about the “people’s interest” which accompanied former jaglands’ attempts to appease an aggressor after the USSR occupied Central and South European states in 1944-1948, crushed the Hungarian revolution of 1956 in the blood, intruded into Czechoslovakia in 1968, occupied Afghanistan, shot down South Korean Boing 747…

Does Mr. Jagland really have gaps in knowledge of history? Or probably the fact that Soviet Criminal Code which stipulates capital punishment is resumed within the territories occupied by the Russian Federation, that pro-Russian separatists have shot Ukrainian servicemen and military hostages were forced to slave labour, subjected to tortures and abuse, are still unknown for him?

Ukrainian political prisoners in the Russian Federation, relatives of many Russians who disappeared without a trace after their conflicts with the authorities (particularly in Kadyrov’s Chechnya), Crimean Tatars might tell Mr. Jagland a lot in response to his statement of no formal causes to deprive Russian delegation the vote, such as tortures or capital punishment.

Perhaps, everything is quite simple and Mr. Jagland grinds his own axe, as Organisation faces difficulties following Russia’s refuse to make contributions in CoE budget in response to sanctions? And the price of it is €33 m. It turns out that in view of income support and for ‘thirty pieces of silver’ Mr. Jagland and his pro-Russian colleagues-deputies, hiding behind the parade of words about human rights and Common Europe, are about to trade European values.

Jagland & Co.’s scenario following the return of the Russian delegation to PACE is becoming known. After the negotiations in the special committee (an ad-hoc Committee on ‘The role and mission of the Parliamentary Assembly’) late in June at the PACE session the decision on the amendment of the Assembly procedures, i.e. on liquidation of sanction instrument, may be supported. In case of success of the adherents of Russia’s return, the voting will be held in the Committee of Ministers and the Statute of the Council of Europe will be amended. If these requirements are satisfied, we may anticipate Russia’s triumphal entry into the PACE conference hall. Today the only legal and proper prerequisite to lift sanctions from Russia is Moscow’s recognition of the violations (the issue is Crimea in Donbas) and taking at least first steps to implement PACE resolutions. Instead of this, Mr. Jagland initiates the hybrid direction of return of Russian delegation to the PACE conference hall through revision and removal of several provisions from the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. European values as the basis for CoE operation is substituted by political gaming.

The next meeting of the PACE special committee shall be held on 16 March in Paris. Initiators of the mechanism which may result in lifting sanctions from Russia and involving it back in the PACE work lay high hopes on this meeting. Still the question is, may it cause a split within PACE?

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Strange though it may seem, Russia, which quite recently has attempted to present itself as civilized state and furthermore pretends to be one of the international leaders, may be capable of blatant violations of international arrangements and provisions of international law (unlawful Crimea annexation), and may even neglect inconditional human right for freedom of speech and belief both on their territory and within grabbed Ukrainian Crimea. Though last century Russia abode horror of Stalin’s purges, it comes back to totalitarian regime today which persecutes people for political beliefs.

The brightest example is the fate of Crimean resident Vladimir Balukh. In 2014, after Crimea occupation, the life of an ordinary farmer has drastically changed. Overt condemnation of aggression by him and support of Ukraine got on nervous of the new authorities. Initially Vladimir Balukh refused flatly from changing the Ukrainian ID for the Russian one. Though Russia enshrined the criminal responsibility for declarations of Crimea as non-Russian territory at legislative level, Balukh claimed he disregarded present authorities and still considered Crimean peninsula Ukrainian. In support of his citizenship he hoisted the Ukrainian flag in front of his house and denied any request of the local authorities to remove it. Policemen repeatedly interviewed him and strongly encouraged the neighbours to suspend their relations with Balukh, in the face of becoming ‘politically unreliable’. Agents of the security services threatened Balukh with reprisals to force him to change his position or leave Crimea. He received a clear message that he would face a prison sentence in Crimea for his pro-Ukrainian position.

However, the Crimean was not broken down neither by convictions, nor by threats, therefore, the authorities have been seeking more and more causes for his arrest and accusation in nonexistent crimes. After the meeting of the speaker of the Crimean parliament with public where Vladimir Balukh attempted to put some questions to the official, the Ukrainian was arrested and a criminal case was initiated against him under Art. 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation for ‘disobedience to the legitimate order of the police officer’, followed by the 3-days arrest and a fine.

Since this measure produced no proper effect on Balukh, another, more serious accusation, was not long in coming: in theft (…of tractor repair parts) (Art. 157 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Balukh’s home was searched and policemen managed to remove the Ukrainian flag. However, his involvement into the theft of tractor repair parts was not proved. To this end, police intentionally paid a night visit. As Balukh expressed the investigator his resentment, the new proceeding under Art. 319 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was initiated for the ‘offence against the public authority’, followed by the arrest for 40 days.

After a while, in December 2016, Balukh hanged on Ukrainian flag on his house over again and attached a sign with an inscription “Heroes of Divine Sotnia Street” (in commemoration of the heroes fell during the Dignity Revolution in 2014 in Kiev). Requirements of the authorities to remove the sign and the flag were met by a peremptory refusal. Therefore, on December 8, 2016 Vladimir Balukh was newly arrested on a contrived accusation in illegal keeping of weapon (Arts. 222-222.1 of the CC RF) and placed in Razdolnenskyi detention facility. Officers of the FSS (FSB) reported 90 cartridges and several trotyl block found in his house.

Balukh’s neighbours also share the opinion about contrivedness of the accusations and explosive planted in the Ukrainian’s house, as they have seen unknowns who entered it few hours prior to search. Actually, no fingerprints of the accused were detected on the cartridges and explosive.

In August, 2017 the court passed a sentence upon the Ukrainian activist – 3 years 7 months in standard regime penal colony and a fine amounting to RUB 10 thousand. After Balukh filed an appeal, the case was submitted to the new trial.

The guilt of Vladimir Balukh was not proved, however, he has spent a year in detention centre (SIZO), though attorneys insisted on arrest in quarters due to severe health deterioration of their client. Nevertheless the court refused in changing the measure of restraint even after Balukh was taken from the court room by the ambulance. Only on December 1, 2017 Razdolnenskiy district court changed the measure of restraint to arrest in quarters for 2 months.

However, on December 6, 2017 Ukrainian activist was brought a new charge. This time Russian security officials incriminated him ‘disorganization of operation of detention centres’ for asserted blow of the SIZO official in the cell during Balukh’s examination. Balukh’s case was submitted for the new trial. Prosecution claimed 5 years and 1 month of penal colony settlement for him with a money penalty amounting to RUB 20 thousand. The court satisfied it in part: on January 16, 2018 Razdolnenskiy district court convicted Ukrainian activist Vladimir Balukh to 3 years and 7 months of penal colony settlement and a money penalty amounting to RUB 10 thousand on a charge of ammunition storage.

In his final speech, Ukrainian activist stated that a case against him is framed up due to his political position, however, even such imposed sentence could not force him to love ‘the new Motherland’, as according to him, ‘living on the knees is far worse than dying standing upright.’

As long as such patriots, as Vladimir Balukh, live in Crimea, Russia has no chances to appropriate the stolen peninsula. Still there are a lot of them. Despite of the cruelest pressure, Balukh has not renounced Ukrainian citizenship and defends his principled civil position by all available peaceful means, making a clear statement that Crimea is a territory of Ukraine under international law. For many Crimeans Vladimir Balukh became an example of dignity, courage and dedication to his Motherland. That is why Russian authorities are afraid of and eliminate them.

Today Balukh’s home folks and civil activists help his old mother, raise funds for penalty payment and fight for his release.

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