Evie Summers
The phrase when you sleep in Ukraine and wake up in Russia refers to the experience of Ukrainians who, following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, found themselves living in Russian-controlled territory. This phrase has taken on new significance with the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent occupation of Ukrainian cities, where Russian forces have been accused of brutal repression, including shooting at private vehicles, stripping civilians at roadblocks, and wounding citizens with bullets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Media | Russian radio and television replace Ukrainian media |
| Infrastructure | Only Russian banks remain |
| Territory | Ukrainian regions become part of the Russian Federation |
| Military | Russian armed forces occupy key positions in cities, block roads, and enforce security perimeters |
| Propaganda | Kremlin's media apparatus showcases "humanitarian" work of Russian armed forces in "liberated" territories |
| Repression | Brutal repression, insecurity, and violence on the streets, with Russian military responding to protests with smoke canisters and gunfire |
| Annexation | Russia intends to hold referendums to annex Ukrainian territories, as seen previously with Crimea |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Russian media and referendum
In 2022, Russian-installed officials in Ukraine held so-called referendums on the annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia. These referendums were illegal under international law and were condemned by the United Nations as violations of the United Nations Charter. The referendums took place in four areas of Ukraine: the Russian-occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, and the Russian-appointed military administrations of Kherson and
Russian media played a significant role in these referendums, with Russian state media outlets such as RT and Sputnik promoting misinformation and providing one-sided coverage of the events. According to the Kremlin, millions of Ukrainian civilians voted to join Russia, and international media outlets reported on these claims without critical analysis, lending legitimacy to Vladimir Putin's war of imperial aggression. This is not an isolated incident; Russian media has a history of spreading disinformation and interfering in democratic processes, including the 2016 Brexit referendum and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
The process of waking up to Russian rule has been described by a Ukrainian citizen, Maria, who lived on the outskirts of Simferopol, Crimea until 2014. She recounts how, gradually, radio stations and television became Russian, banks became Russian, and one day she woke up no longer living in Ukraine, but in Russia. This insidious process of annexation has been a strategy employed by Russia to consolidate its control over Ukrainian territories and deter counter-attacks.
The international community must remain vigilant and critical of Russian media narratives to prevent the endorsement of illegitimate referendums and the extinction of Ukrainian statehood.
Waking Up After No Sleep: A Good Idea?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Russian occupation and annexation
The Russian occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories began in February 2014, following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych. Soon after, unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea, and Russian-backed separatists took control of major government buildings in the Donbas region, creating the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. In March 2014, Russia officially annexed Crimea, administering the peninsula as the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol. This annexation was mostly internationally unrecognized and was condemned by the United Nations General Assembly. Despite sanctions and condemnation, Russia continued its occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Putin announcing a "special military operation" to demilitarize and denazify the country. During the initial days of the offensive, Russian forces surrounded cities and towns, blocking entrances with roadblocks. They also captured key infrastructure, such as the Antonivskyi Bridge, which forced Ukrainian forces to retreat. By March, the city of Kherson fell to Russian control.
In the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance, Russia's attempts to capture major cities like Kyiv failed, and Ukrainian counteroffensives began liberating territories. However, in September 2022, Russia declared the annexation of four partially-occupied Ukrainian oblasts: Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. These annexations were internationally condemned, with the international community refusing to recognize their legal basis or effect. The boundaries of the annexed areas were not clearly defined, and none of the oblasts were fully under Russian control at the time of the declaration.
The Russian occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories have had a significant impact on the lives of Ukrainian citizens. As described by Maria, a Ukrainian citizen from Simferopol, Crimea, the gradual process of annexation involves the replacement of Ukrainian media and services with Russian ones. This results in a sense of powerlessness and a sudden shift in national identity. The ongoing conflict has also led to a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths, with Ukraine's peace terms demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories.
Unveiling the Mystery of BO4's Sleeper Agent
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$27.08 $37.99
Ukrainian resistance
Following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, volunteer organisations and civil society groups played a crucial role in sustaining Ukraine's position, buying time for the military to regroup. This whole-of-society resistance has been described as the "gold standard". In 2022, as the Russian invasion began, civilians joined the Territorial Defense Forces in large numbers, successfully defending cities such as Sumy and Chernihiv and disrupting Russia's invasion plans.
In addition to these grassroots efforts, there have also been targeted attacks by Ukrainian resistance fighters against pro-Russian collaborators and Russian military personnel. These attacks have included assassinations, bombings, and poisonings. For instance, on 6 August, Ukrainian media reported that the deputy head of the Russian administration in Nova Kakhovka, Vitaly Guru, was shot dead in his home. On 16 October, it was reported that Ukrainian partisans had poisoned Russian soldiers in occupied Mariupol, killing 26 and hospitalising 15.
The Ukrainian government has also played a role in coordinating resistance efforts. On 28 April, the Governor of Mykolaiv Oblast, Vitaliy Kim, stated that there had been resistance against the Russian army in the Kherson Oblast for two months, with Ukrainian partisans killing 80 Russian troops. The Ukrainian military intelligence directorate has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks, such as the assassination of Mikhail Filiponenko, a Russian-installed official and former separatist leader, on 8 November.
Despite the dangers posed by Russian occupation and the crackdown on civil disobedience, Ukrainian resistance continues to adapt and evolve. The question is not if resistance will continue, but how it will manifest in the face of mounting uncertainty and the changing dynamics of the war.
Reviving Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$10.1 $17.99
Russian propaganda
This propaganda tactic aims to create a sense of inevitability and normalcy around the annexation, portraying it as a natural consequence of the war. Russian media outlets, such as RT, have circulated news pieces highlighting the "humanitarian" work of the Russian armed forces in "liberated" territories. They showcase how Russian military engineers are building houses for civilians displaced by Ukrainian attacks, framing Russia as a stabilizing force in the region.
The reality on the ground, as revealed by eyewitness accounts and independent media, is starkly different. Citizens in occupied cities like Kherson experience brutal repression, insecurity, and shortages of essential supplies like medicine. There is a stark contrast between the Russian narrative of "liberation" and the actual experiences of Ukrainians, who face violence, displacement, and repression under Russian occupation.
Maria, a Ukrainian citizen from Simferopol, Crimea, described the gradual process of Russian annexation, which began in 2014. She recounts how, over time, radio stations and television channels became Russian, Russian banks took over, and suddenly, they no longer lived in Ukraine but in Russia. This insidious process of cultural and economic assimilation is a key aspect of Russian propaganda, normalizing the annexation and creating a sense of helplessness among the occupied population.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions to annex southern and eastern Ukraine have been analyzed and commented on by experts, who believe that consolidating control over these territories will deter Ukrainian counter-attacks and strengthen Russia's position. The referendum in the Zaporiyya Oblast, predicted by US intelligence and Russian media, is a crucial step in this process, giving a facade of legitimacy to Russia's expansionist agenda.
Turning Off Sleep-Wake Alarms: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Life under Russian rule
Since the Russian invasion in 2014, life under Russian occupation has come at a tremendous human cost. The Kremlin's occupation practices have entailed far more than just a change of flags and passports. Ukrainian residents have been forced to re-register their cars, which requires Russian citizenship, and those that still have Ukrainian license plates are regularly searched, as are the homes of those who refuse to trade in their Ukrainian passports.
Under Russian rule, Ukrainian residents have faced constant fear of being kidnapped, interrogated, and tortured by the occupiers. Physical violence, including beatings, electric shocks, and hangings, has been a common tool of terror used by the Russians to intimidate and suppress dissent. Pro-Ukrainian activists, war veterans, and anyone suspected of resistance activity have been systematically targeted.
The Russian occupiers have also pursued a policy of cultural, economic, and political occupation, attempting to cut people off from Ukraine completely. Russian media has discussed holding referendums in Ukrainian regions to access the Russian Federation, and Russian passports are being issued to Ukrainians, which is in direct contradiction to Article 4 of the Geneva Convention. The longer the occupation persists, the greater the integration of these territories into Russia, and the harder it becomes to reverse.
Ukrainian authorities and civil society are trying to support those trapped under Russian rule. However, solutions are scarce, as any relationship with free Ukraine puts residents at risk of becoming suspects in the eyes of the occupiers and targets of Russia's security services.
Waking Heavy Sleepers: Subtle Strategies for Peaceful Mornings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The phrase refers to Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories.
Analysts have observed a pattern in the territories occupied by Russian armed forces. First, uniformed forces enter and "pacify" the urban centres, pushing back Ukrainian forces. They create a security perimeter, occupy key positions in the cities, and block the main roads. Then, specialized law enforcement reinforcements arrive, and the transformation of the city begins. This includes food distribution, the arrival of Russian television crews, and the circulation of news pieces showing the "humanitarian" work of the Russian armed forces in the "liberated" territories.
The annexation has caused tension and instability in the affected regions, with some citizens welcoming the change and others strongly opposing it. There have been reports of brutal repression, insecurity, and violence in the streets. Citizens have also faced shortages of essential goods and medicines in hospitals.
