Simferopol

November 26–27, 2014

In the spring of 2014, Crimea went over from Ukraine back to Russia. The whole process took place in a surprisingly unanimous and peaceful manner, with zero interference from the Ukrainian police, special services, military or marines. Exactly one Ukrainian soldier died, but given the fact that he didn’t become a national hero in Ukraine, and also because nobody knows his name, it would seem that he didn’t surrender his soul to God in an act of heroism.

98% of Crimeans adopted Russian citizenship.

The statistics are less sunny when it comes to license plates: you can find new Russian plates with 777 as the region number, but there’s very few of them for the time being.

That said, many people are covering up the two-color flag on Ukrainian plates with the Russian tricolor.

The public authorities have been more expeditious.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia; Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Republic of Crimea

The euphoria following the change of allegiance has passed.

Crimea, Donbass is with you. Thank you, Putin. CRIMEA IS OURS! Hello to Crimea from Tolstovka. Lugansk is with Russia. Glory to Russia.

It’s time to take a look at what Russia has acquired.

A Soviet trash can.

Dumpsters.

Provincial shopping.

Urban disarray.

Complete disregard for cultural heritage.

Manhole covers secured with iron bars so that they don’t get stolen for scrap metal.

Dilapidated roads.

Depressing old single-family homes.

Cheerful residents.

And optimism.

Let them think I’m swimming in happiness, let them think my life is a game, I fall but then I get up again, only I know the price that was paid! THE OLD CITY IS MAGNIFICENT.