'Russians are even trying to ban our holidays' - women speak out from occupied Ukraine
In a harrowing account from occupied Ukraine, a woman who goes by the name Maria describes the grim reality faced by those living under Russian control. "Russians are trying to ban everything Ukrainian here: language, and also traditions. Even Ukrainian holidays are forbidden," she reveals, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to suppress Ukrainian identity in regions seized by Russia. As the United States spearheads diplomatic efforts aiming at negotiating peace in Ukraine, the lives of those residents under occupation reflect a stark and repressive future that looms over them.
The Kremlin has instituted harsh measures aimed at eradicating any semblance of Ukrainian culture in these territories. These restrictions include severe penalties for individuals who dare to voice dissent or express their Ukrainian heritage. Amidst these oppressive conditions, there are growing concerns that Kyiv might be compelled to concede portions of its territory, currently under Russian occupation, as part of any potential ceasefire or peace agreement. While Ukrainian officials vehemently deny any intent to cede their land, the Kremlin persists in its ambitions, insisting on the complete annexation of four Ukrainian regionsDonetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhiaalong with Crimea, which it annexed in 2014 following a contentious referendum widely condemned internationally.
The environment of fear is palpable. Engaging with the media or even maintaining conversations with family members in occupied areas poses significant risks. Reports indicate that the Kremlin is also conducting a widespread campaign forcing Ukrainians in these territories to adopt Russian citizenship. In many instances, evidence has emerged suggesting that access to essential services, such as healthcare and freedom of movement, is contingent upon acceptance of Russian passports. Maria, who is involved with an all-female underground resistance group, articulates the dangers of her situation poignantly: "You have fear in your eyes, but your hands are still doing it. Of course it's scary," she noted in an interview with the BBC's Today programme. Her true identity and location remain undisclosed for her safety.
The pervasive atmosphere of dread and paranoia greatly affects communication efforts. A BBC journalist attempting to reach residents in the occupied city of Mariupol was met with hostility, accused of being a Russian journalist. One individual, fearing for their safety, cautioned, "You won't like what I've got to say. People like you kill if you tell them the truth." Mariupol has been heavily impacted by the conflict, which saw a brutal siege in May 2022 that left the city in ruins.
Many Ukrainians, like Sofia (a pseudonym), who hails from a village in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, share similar concerns. Her village was occupied shortly after the full-scale invasion began in 2022, and despite her relocation to the UK, her parents remain trapped under Russian authority. Sofia recounted a tense incident in which her parents were stopped and searched by officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). They were accused of sharing information with the Ukrainian army regarding Russian troop locationsa claim she insists is unfounded. "I have to read between the lines when they tell me about what's going on," she explained, describing the significant communication barriers that have arisen. Her parents, steadfast in their refusal to accept Russian passports, face increasing difficulties, unable to recharge their mobile phones or secure car insurance, leaving them feeling vulnerable and isolated.
Yeva, another individual who spoke under a pseudonym, has a sister employed at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Yeva notes a palpable shift in her sisters demeanor when conversations steer from familial topics to political or sensitive subjects. "You don't understand!" her sister insists, prompting Yeva to reflect on the implications of potential surveillance on her sister's phone. Kateryna, another friend, shared her own distressing experience, revealing that an acquaintance in the occupied Kherson region was imprisoned for communicating with her brother, who had been aiding the Ukrainian armed forces. "I can't put them at risk," Kateryna lamented, emphasizing the dire stakes involved in maintaining contact.
According to Maria, the Russian administration is ramping up surveillance efforts to stifle any signs of dissent. "They are putting up a lot of CCTV cameras to control everybody, to find all the activists," she stated. The Ukrainian rights group Zmina reports that since the onset of the full-scale invasion, at least 121 activists, volunteers, and journalists have been killed, most occurring during its initial year. Furthermore, the Kremlin reportedly had lists prepared prior to the invasion, identifying activists earmarked for arrest or worse. In recent developments, the authorities installed by Russia have enacted a range of draconian laws against dissenters, with individuals facing punishment for vague offenses like disseminating "false information," "discrediting" the Russian military, or supporting perceived extremism. In Crimea alone, the Ukrainian government office for Crimea has documented 1,279 cases initiated against individuals charged with "discrediting" the Russian armed forces, resulting in 224 incarcerations for expressing opposition, predominantly among the indigenous Crimean Tatar community.
Despite these dangers, several underground resistance movements are actively operational in the occupied areas of Ukraine. One notable group, named Zla Mavka, draws its inspiration from a mythical Ukrainian figure and focuses on non-violent resistance, mainly through the distribution of leaflets and posters. In Melitopol, located in the Zaporizhzhia region, partisans have targeted the transport and resources of occupying forces, while the Crimean Tatar group Atesh engages in reconnaissance and sabotage efforts. Additionally, the Yellow Ribbon movement spreads Ukrainian symbols to bolster national pride in occupied territories. Due to the absence of independent media coverage in these areas, it is challenging to ascertain the effects of such resistance activities. Nevertheless, there is currently no substantial evidence suggesting that these efforts have created significant disruptions for the occupying forces.
Overall, the ongoing conflict casts a long shadow over the lives of Ukrainians in occupied regions, with their cultural identity at risk of erasure.
