temporarily occupied Crimea
Polish Prosecutor’s Office supports Ukraine’s request for the extradition of Russian archaeologist Butyagin
Alexander Butyagin, a Russian scientist and head of the ancient archaeology department at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. He has illegally crossed the state border of Ukraine and led an archaeological expedition in temporarily occupied Kerch
Crimean political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziev has begun losing consciousness due to significant deterioration of his health condition
The Crimean Tatar is being held in solitary confinement, so if he becomes unwell, there is no one to help him
Russian serviceman who threatened the mother of a Ukrainian soldier in occupation with gang rape received a sentence in absentia
The individual is 35-year-old Dmitrii Shugankov, who at that time was on Ukrainian soil as the head of intelligence for the 2nd self-propelled howitzer artillery battalion of the 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Cossack Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, holding the rank of "Senior Lieutenant."
Human rights activists have identified 25 individuals involved in the persecution of citizen journalist Remzi Bekirov
Those implicated in Bekirov’s persecution include Russian judges, prosecutors, and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers. A journalist and activist with the "Crimean Solidarity" movement, Bekirov has faced harassment since 2017. Following his arrest in 2019, he was held in Russian pretrial detention centers and penal colonies under inhumane conditions, subjected to forced transfers and psychiatric evaluations, and denied the full right to a legal defense
Government agencies have appointed officials responsible for the temporarily occupied territories: human rights advocate explains what this will change
The ZMINA editorial team sent a request to the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers to find out which ministries had been designated as responsible for policy on the temporarily occupied and frontline territories. In response to the request, the Secretariat provided a list of such representatives in 21 executive bodies, including ministries, the State Emergency Service, the Pension Fund, the State Property Fund, and other relevant institutions
UN condemns Russian aggression, human rights violations on occupied territories and demands troop withdrawal from Ukraine
The resolution relies on the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on violations by Russia, which confirm facts of enforced disappearances and torture both in the occupied territories and in Russia itself
Russian occupiers abducted Crimean Tatar woman in temporarily occupied Crimea: they accuse her of “treason”
The Human Rights House Crimea reminded that during the last two years, Russian security forces in temporarily occupied Crimea have intensified the practice of enforced disappearances. As of the end of 2024, there were 27 confirmed cases of this type. Eight of these people could not be found, three were convicted by the illegitimate "courts" on the peninsula, and the rest were released. In 2025, out of 18 persons, only one was released
Russian occupiers illegally alienate the property of boxer Oleksandr Usyk and other citizens of Ukraine in Crimea
The so-called "nationalizations" by the occupying Russian authorities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol city carry no legal force under international law. Human rights defenders view this as an element of the aggressor state's repressive policy
World must ensure Russia is held legally accountable for the war — Zelenskyy
Zelensky thanked the Netherlands for agreeing to host legal bodies to hold Russia accountable, including the Compensation Commission, which countries plan to establish through an agreement to be signed in The Hague on December 16
United States pressed Ukraine to give up Kyiv-controlled Donbas areas during Berlin talks — AFP
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that "a lot of progress" was made during the December 14 meeting, which also involved Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Ukraine, which has been fighting a "grinding war" since Russia invaded in February 2022, hopes to persuade the United States that any ceasefire must be agreed upon without prior territorial concessions to Russia
75% of Ukrainians reject Russian ‘peace plan’ requiring troop withdrawal from Donbas — poll
The Russian plan remains categorically unacceptable – 75% of Ukrainians consider it completely unacceptable (the same number as in September 2025). Only 17% of Ukrainians are ready for the Russian version of peace (the same number as before),
Crimean Tatar leader responds to Trump’s remarks, citing international law: Only Ukraine and Crimean Tatars can determine Crimea’s fate
Refat Chubarov highlighted the duty of states to cooperate with one another, the right of peoples to self-determination, and the conscientious fulfillment of international obligations. Chubarov emphasized that these principles are designed to promote peace and security, foster mutual respect, and uphold human rights
Reporters Without Borders has spoken out against amnesty for Russian crimes against journalists in Ukraine
The human rights organization emphasized that even if a peace agreement is concluded, impunity for attacks on journalists is unacceptable, as it undermines the possibility of a just and lasting peace
Ukraine will not cede territory, has no legal or moral right to do so — Zelenskyy
The President of Ukraine added that the United States is currently seeking compromise solutions to resolve the situation
Occupation authorities violate at least 18 articles of U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Crimea — CrimeaSOS
Violations range from forced assimilation and displacement to the destruction of cultural heritage, media censorship, and the obstruction of Crimean Tatar representative bodies, particularly the Mejlis
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech condemned the pressure on journalists in Crimea following the detention of Lenora Dyulber
The committee's statement notes that the persecution of journalists violates international law and is aimed at suppressing any independent information about the situation under occupation
Ranking illegitimate “judges” in Crimea who illegally force the local population to serve in the Russian army
This ZMINA article examines the most active illegitimate judges who ensure "successful" conscription campaigns for the Russian armed forces in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
We cannot allow war to become humanity’s everyday reality again
The President of Ukraine emphasized that Ukraine will continue to work with partners, seek compromises, and explain how dangerous it is to pretend that aggression can be simply overlooked and moved past
Columns
We cannot allow war to become humanity’s everyday reality again
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a classic neo-colonial war for the enslavement of an entire people
Ukraine invites nations across Africa, South America, and Asia to join a global justice alliance
“Sharper than physical pain – the feeling of helplessness”: speech of the imprisoned journalist
