Russian occupiers fail to hold paid rally in captured Melitopol - Regional Administration

The occupation authorities in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, failed to hold a paid rally in support of the Russian Federation because of the patriotic stance of local residents.

Source: Zaporizhzhya Regional Administration

Details: Quoting data from the Ukrainian Security Service, the Local Regional Administration reported that on 26 March at 08:00 the occupying Russian administration, led by Galina Danilchenko, the self-proclaimed mayor of Melitopol collaborating with the invading forces, planned to hold a paid rally in support of the Russian Federation.

The main goal of the rally would be to capture footage for Russian mass media showing the alleged support for Russia amongst the city’s residents..Anyone participating in the rally was supposed to carry with them various pro-Russian slogans and symbols, and would receive 1200 rubles for participation.

The administration also reported that the occupiers brought with them 30 individuals from temporarily occupied Crimea, a lot of whom were clearly either under the influence of alcohol or the abuse of some other substance. They also attempted to coerce locals into participating, but were categorically refused.

Quote: "Because of the strictly pro-Ukrainian stance of the citizens of Melitopol, the rally simply didn’t happen. and they also decided not to publish photos of the ‘Crimean alcoholics’, even in the local pro-Russian media."