A state of emergency has been declared in occupied Crimea due to a shortage of fuel and food
A state of emergency has been declared in the temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. The decision came into force on 26 June at 13:00 Moscow time and will remain in place until the situation improves, reports TMT.
Sergey Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed head of the Crimean occupation administration, stated that the decision was taken to resolve economic issues and ensure the stable functioning of services essential to the population.
A similar statement was made by Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed head of the occupation administration in Sevastopol. He noted that the situation regarding energy supplies to the Crimean peninsula remains difficult.
Whilst the state of emergency is in force, the occupying authorities may restrict freedom of movement, suspend the operations of businesses and carry out forced evacuations.
Against the backdrop of recent events on the peninsula, fuel supply problems have worsened. In mid-June, petrol and diesel sales were halted at petrol stations.
At the same time, problems with the electricity supply have worsened across Crimea. Russian train services have also been suspended.
Residents of Crimea and Sevastopol report disruptions to food supplies and the introduction of restrictions on the sale of certain goods. In some supermarkets, shoppers are allowed to buy no more than three bottles of vegetable oil and three packets of pasta per person.
According to reports from local Telegram channels, shops are also experiencing shortages of sugar, buckwheat, rice, flour and salt.
On 25 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had received evidence indicating a daily worsening of the crisis regarding fuel, military logistics and governance in Crimea.
According to him, the occupying authorities on the peninsula acknowledge the complexity of the situation. The President has also authorised a 40-day operation by the SBU aimed at exerting influence on Russia.
