Occupiers declare "state of emergency" in Crimea and Sevastopol

The occupation authorities in the Crimea announced the imposition of a regional state of emergency in both Sevastopol and throughout the entire peninsula. The decision took effect today, June 26, at 1:00 p.m. It was announced in an emergency video address by Crimean Gauleiter Sergey Aksyonov.

According to Aksyonov, this decision was made jointly with the so-called “governor” of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, allegedly to “address economic issues.”

“Together with the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Vladimirovich Razvozhayev, a decision was made to sign decrees declaring a regional state of emergency in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. The legal framework of the state of emergency allows for the most rapid resolution of tasks related to ensuring the stable functioning of all sectors upon which the population’s livelihood depends,” Aksyonov stated.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, russians are fleeing Crimea en masse via the Kerch Bridge: wait times are reaching five hours.

Meanwhile, as a result of attacks on occupied Crimea, Sevastopol has been left completely without electricity.

Following strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Sunday, June 21, the occupiers suspended operations at the Kerch ferry crossing indefinitely. Truck drivers were advised to reach the peninsula via a road in the south of the occupied territories of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Regions.

Following this, the occupying administration announced that the free sale of fuel in Crimea would be suspended for both individuals and businesses.

The occupiers also banned the placement of children in camps and other recreational facilities within Crimea. The evacuation of children from the “Artek” camp has begun.