Russia ‘Stripping and Interrogating’ Men Traveling from Crimea

On the night of August 11, Russian Special Services again blocked the border crossing on the administrative border between Crimea and Ukraine’s mainland, Krym.Realii cite the spokesperson of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Oleh Slobodian.

"In particular, checkpoint Kalanchak was closed for some 1.5 hours. Travelers were not let in or out of Crimea. Border crossings resumed at about 12 a.m.," Slobodian said as he called on Ukrainian citizens to hold back from visiting Crimea if not critically necessary.

The Russian side did not provide comments.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Krym.Realii, travelers had to go to other checkpoints – including Chaplynka – where more than 500 persons are gathered. It takes more than five hours to cross the administrative border from Crimea, while from Ukraine’s mainland travelers don’t wait more than one hour.

Krym.Realii adds that the roads to Chaplynka and Kalanchak checkpoints from the Crimean side are blocked by Kamaz trucks and sub-machine gunners. Young male travelers are taken out of their cars, undressed and interrogated for two hours or more. Cars leaving the peninsula are also examined.

The critical situation on the administrative border with Crimea emerged on August 7. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia accused Ukraine of two attempted subversive attacks in Crimea on 8 August which were ‘stopped by the special forces of Russia.’ President Putin accused Ukrainian authorities of ‘going over to terror.’

The Defense Ministry of Ukraine said that such a statement by the FSB was nothing more than an attempt to justify reshuffling and aggressive Russian military actions on the peninsula. President Poroshenko claimed on Wednesday night that Russia’s statements were ‘a fantasy.’ This position was supported by the U.S. and the EU.

On Thursday, Poroshenko also placed all military forces around Crimea on alert.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda