In Crimea, the occupiers are threatening residents with jail time for filming fuel trucks
In occupied Crimea, local authorities have begun threatening residents with criminal charges for filming and posting videos of fuel tankers moving amid the fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s logistics infrastructure.
Olga Kurlaeva, an aide to the so-called “head” of Crimea, stated that citizens could face punishment under the article on aiding sabotage activities for filming and distributing such videos.
“Videographers will, at a minimum, be charged under Article 281.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, ‘Aiding and Abetting Sabotage,’ which carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison,” Kurlaeva stated.
According to sources within the security forces of the occupying authorities, a search and detention operation has already begun on the peninsula to find individuals who filmed fuel tankers and posted the videos on social media and messaging apps.
Law enforcement officials also emphasize that even posting materials in private chat rooms or forwarding them to acquaintances does not exempt one from liability. According to them, such information can become publicly available through further forwarding and be used by Ukrainian intelligence.
The occupying authorities separately warned that criminal cases may be initiated even against minors aged 14 and older. This applies, in particular, to recording short videos for messaging apps.
According to Russian security officials, minors in such cases could face up to 10 years in prison.
The intensification of repressive measures comes amid fuel shortages in Crimea and growing concern among the occupying administration over strikes on logistics routes and facilities supporting Russian troops.
Suburban train service in occupied Crimea has been completely suspended following an incident involving the railway infrastructure. This is reported by Russian Telegram channels.
The fuel situation in occupied Crimea continues to deteriorate. Lines at gas stations are now measured not by the number of cars, but by kilometers.
