Latest news with #Volodymyr
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
‘Harmful' TikTok trend fueling new wave of ‘dangerous' diet culture
TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok,' is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Behind the trendy filters and catchy sounds lies an extremely problematic reality – a community where thinness is idolised, extreme calorie deficits are glamorised, and the pursuit of a shrinking body is celebrated, often at the expense of mental and physical health. The rise of SkinnyTok Advertisement SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'body checks' (videos where people weigh and measure themselves). Some even boast about 'gaslighting' themselves into being skinny, or confess to daily gym visits out of a fear of being 'fat' – even when they already fit society's narrow beauty standards. TikTok has, for its part, attempted to clamp down on this content. 5 TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok,' is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Volodymyr – Advertisement Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food, or exercise. Influencers like Liv Schmidt, who built a following of over 670,000 with her 'blonde and skinny' persona, have been banned. Yet, the algorithm still seems to serve up the very content it claims to protect users from. So, what can people do to safeguard themselves online? Advertisement First, you need to understand what SkinnyTok is, how the trend has managed to gain such a huge following, and who is most at risk. 5 Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food, or exercise. Odua Images – The personal toll Jemma Haythorne, a confidence coach, speaker, and podcaster, knows firsthand the damage that online diet culture can do. 'I started hating my body when I was 12 years old, but really spiralled into disordered eating when I was 16. My friends and I would follow skinny content on Tumblr, using it as 'motivation' to eat less to achieve our goals of being thin,' she tells Advertisement For Haythorne, the pressure peaked during Schoolies, when the prospect of hundreds of Facebook photos led her to subsist on scarily low calories and avoid water to prevent 'bloating' – all ideas she picked up from social media. 'Instagram then became a dangerous place too for someone with body image issues and a fraught relationship with food,' she says, adding that the rise of fitness influencers and 'clean eating' trends was fuel for her already disordered behaviors. Her lowest point came between 2017 and 2019. 'Social media told me that everyone was thin, gorgeous, tanned, hairless, toned, and successful, because that's what the algorithm was serving me, and those were the people who were platformed,' she says. 'The message that I received was that I was failing, because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't meet those standards.' Haythorne believes that without social media, she would never have developed an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety to the extent she did. The cyclical nature of online trends She says she has witnessed body ideals shift over the years, from ultra-thin, to athletic and toned, to the 'Kim Kardashian' hourglass, and now back to just 'plain thin.' Advertisement Despite the rise of the body positivity movement, she's sceptical about its real-world impact: 'The body ideal has always come back to being in a smaller body — something that I desperately hope we can change in the future.' The influencer effect Influencers and content creators play a massive role in shaping body image perceptions, Haythorne argues. 5 Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders. Kate – 'Those who post content that encourages unhealthy relationships with food and bodies are directly damaging their audience. SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is.' Advertisement But the damage isn't always obvious. Seemingly innocuous 'before and after' photos reinforce the idea that smaller is better, while meal inspiration videos suggest that copying someone's diet will yield the same body. 'Any form of editing of bodies or faces makes people think they need to live up to looking like that in order to be beautiful or worthy, yet the person themselves doesn't even look like that,' she notes. She claims that while platforms like TikTok and Instagram have a responsibility to manage the harm they promote, individual influencers must also be aware of their impact. The psychological impact Advertisement Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders. 'These trends influence how people perceive and evaluate their own bodies, and the bodies of others. Behaviorally, people may self-isolate, which can also impact their work, education, and relationships,' she explains. Beyond the psychological impact, the physical consequences are dire too. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth, and mouth. Advertisement Typical serious side effects include low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeats, feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint, constipation and bloating, irregular periods, and weak bones. Who's most at risk? According to Dober, certain groups are especially vulnerable to the dangers of SkinnyTok. These include: – Adolescents (especially those aged 12–25) with a median age of 18 – Women during key transition periods (e.g. finishing school) 5 'SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is,' experts said. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – – Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or diabetes – Athletes and those in appearance-focused activities like dancing – People with a family history of eating disorders – Anyone seeking help for weight loss or who has engaged in dieting or disordered eating The role of TikTok's culture Qualified nutritionist Yaz Jackson sees SkinnyTok as part of a broader trend of 'normalizing' harmful behaviors on TikTok. She notes that TikTok's culture is different from Instagram's: 'You can 'get away' with more. It's more of a diary, people feel like they can say whatever, and it's lighthearted, and nobody judges. I've seen creators say things like 'I could never share this on Insta, they'd judge me, but I can tell you guys,'' Jackson believes there's a trend of radical honesty emerging on TikTok, where creators are praised for sharing 'the tea' – the secrets behind their appearance, whether it's the use of medication, diets, or cosmetic surgery. Their content is being favoured, as people applaud them for being 'real' and 'not fake' – i.e., unlike the countless models and celebrities who pretend they eat pizza and burgers when the reality is much different. 'This trend then gains traction because when enough people make something okay to talk about again, they feel safer,' she said. 'Things that were once stigmatized are now being accepted – but only if you are super honest and transparent about it. People love that.' The dangers of unqualified advice Dr. Zac, a GP, urges people to exercise caution when seeking health advice online, especially when it comes from unqualified creators. 'Health advice should come from qualified professionals – doctors, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists – people with actual credentials, not just abs and a ring light. If someone's offering drastic weight loss 'hacks' or pushing extreme transformations, especially if they're profiting from it, be wary,' he says. Things to look out for include: 'Are they citing evidence-based sources? Do they promote balance over extremes? Are they championing sustainable health, or quick fixes and aesthetic perfection?' How to safeguard your mental health Dober and Zac recommend several strategies for protecting yourself online: Curate your feed: Block or mute content and creators that promote unhealthy behaviors 5 SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'body checks.' Floral Deco – Use platform tools: Filter out triggering keywords where possible Limit screen time: Reduce endless scrolling to avoid algorithm rabbit holes Follow positive accounts: Such as ones that promote body neutrality, mental health, and self-compassion Seek support: If you're struggling, reach out to a psychologist or trusted professional. And as Zac puts it: 'Healing starts when we stop punishing ourselves and start listening to what our body and mind actually need.'
Sky News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Ukrainian drone attack puts Russians and the world on notice
On the eve of the peace talks in Istanbul, Ukraine launched an audacious drone attack deep within Russia: Operation Spider's Web. 👉 Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim on your podcast app 👈 Hundreds of Ukrainian-made drones were smuggled over the border, put into crates, and launched simultaneously to blow up billions of dollars' worth of Russian military equipment. Ukraine penetrated as far into Russia as the North Pole is from London, or Los Angeles from New York. No small feat, and you can bet that the whole world is watching and taking notes from how the Ukrainians are responding to Russian aggression. 0:46 This was not a scene from a Hollywood spy movie, but a glimpse into the future of modern warfare. Once again, the battlefields of Ukraine and the technology used there are changing the face of how wars are fought and potentially won. Wars won't be fought just with legacy hardware and 20th-century capabilities, but with swarms of cheap drones alongside. Both myself and my podcast co-host, NBC's chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel, have spent time on the Ukrainian frontlines and have seen these drones in action. They swarm overhead like 'killer bees', as he described it on this week's episode. It's unnerving and scary. Volodymyr But the way Ukraine used these drones has not been done before by an army, and attacks like these will be making Ukraine's adversaries and allies nervous. As tensions mount in the Indo-Pacific, both Beijing and Washington will be taking notes from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 4:05 If China launches an attack on Taiwan, which US defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned could be 'imminent', drones will be central to any conflict between the two superpowers. President Donald Trump 's announcement of a $175bn 'Golden Dome' American defence system is classic Trump bravado mixed with an insight into the very real anxieties this administration feels with regards to China, for it is a formidable enemy. It is not improbable that Beijing, or its ally in Pyongyang, could carry out a similar attack on US army bases or the mainland, if tensions were to ratchet up. So, the big question now is how will Vladimir Putin respond? A security breach of this size will no doubt invite a huge response. But Ukraine, which has been told by the Trump administration - that it is losing this war, wrap this up and fast - has once again shown it has the willpower to continue to be agile and creative.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Closer to victory' – Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war
A large-scale drone attack carried out by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), which reportedly destroyed or damaged 41 Russian heavy bombers on June 1, brought a much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians. Codenamed "Spiderweb," the operation targeted the strategic aircraft that Russia uses for long-range missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The damage dealt could potentially hinder Moscow's ability to carry out such mass strikes in the future. In Ukraine, the operation quickly drew comparisons to some of the most uplifting moments since 2022 – including the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet's flagship Moskva, the attack on the Crimean Bridge, and the surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast. The timing couldn't be more crucial, as Ukrainians have entered the fourth year of defending their country against Russia's full-scale invasion, while Moscow's attacks in the air and on the ground continue to intensify. 'I was shocked by this and could not believe that this could be done. It's some kind of fantastic operation,' Volodymyr, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent. 'Any such operation brings us closer to victory.' The operation had been in preparation for one and a half years. It used low-cost FPV (first-person view) drones that were smuggled into Russia and hidden inside trucks to attack four airfields across the country, two of them located thousands of miles away from Ukraine. The success of the Ukrainian operation dealt a blow to the image of Russia's security services, demonstrating that Ukraine can carry out effective attacks inside Russian territory without having forces on the ground. 'It shows the power of modern drones. And it's interesting, to say the least,' said Ivan Boichenko, a prospective university student from Kyiv. 'I was very impressed. It was very uplifting, I would even say.' President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in Operation Spiderweb. According to estimates from the SBU, the drone strike disabled 34% of Russia's cruise missile bombers, causing approximately $7 billion in damage. 'We were very impressed and happy. We really hope (that the war is approaching) its end, and this will somehow help us to have a peaceful life like before. We miss those times very much,' said Alina, a pharmacist and a resident of Kryvyi Rih. Asked whether she fears a possible Russian attack in retaliation for the Ukrainian operation, she says her city is already a frequent target of Russian attacks. On April 4, Russia's missile strike killed 20 people there — including nine children. Halyna, a medical worker from Kyiv, shares similar thoughts about possible Russian retaliation. She says Russia already strikes regularly. 'Every day — there's no such day, not a minute, neither at night, nor during the day. Children are in basements, we are in corridors,' she says. 'I also suffered, there was an attack on us. God forbid anybody has to go through that,' she went on. 'But you see, I'm alive, many of us are. Though, of course, even more are not. May our defenders rest in peace. Thanks to them, we're still here.' Russian forces launch drone, glide bomb, and artillery attacks targeting civilian areas in Ukraine on a daily basis. On June 2 alone, Russian strikes across the country killed at least nine civilians and injured at least 49, including children, according to the regional authorities. Kyiv resident Volodymyr was among those who spent the night in a bomb shelter. 'When there was an air raid alarm, my family and I went to the shelter, because I was worried there would be some response, as usual, after such operations,' he told the Kyiv Independent. Among those who spoke with the Kyiv Independent, there was a quiet sense that Ukraine, through actions like this, is not backing down. 'The point is, it is better to strike back. It is better than just sitting there with your hands folded," said Boichenko. Many were also proud of the inventiveness of the operation. 'These moments should go down in history. There should be books, scientific works — the whole world should know about this,' said Halyna. 'This is happiness for us. They are destroying us, destroying us as people. And what did we do? We responded. We did the right thing. I'm glad,' she added. Read also: Operation Spiderweb — everything we know about Ukraine's 'audacious' attack on Russia's heavy bombers We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Saturn in Aries — expect possible fires, floods, upheaval and apocalyptic extremes
It's getting biblical, folks. On May 24th, Saturn, our dad jeans planet of structure, punishment, wisdom and limitations, will move out of the dosed and dazed puddle of Pisces and into the adrenaline dumpster fire of Aries. It's been nearly three decades since the ringed one last set up shop in the sign of the ram — and everyone will be feeling the effects of this transit. Saturn in Aries 2025 6 Once thought to be the last planet in the solar system, Saturn is known as a malefic and is associated with endings, limits, tough love, and hard lessons. domi002 – As Hong Kong-based certified counselor and award-winning astrologist Letao Wang explains, this transit is not simply a change in sign but the initiation of an entirely new astrological cycle. 'This marks the completion of the current Saturn cycle that began in 1996 and the initiation of a new 28-to-29-year cycle. This year is especially significant as Saturn hovers around 0°–1° of Aries, the very first degree of the zodiac,' Wang told The Post. 'This gives us a preview of what the next 2.5 years will feel like with Saturn in Aries — a dynamic, fiery energy that demands action and discipline.' To honor the transition, Wang encourages a day of introspection, asking ourselves what we have learned, accomplishments we've earned and karmic cycles we are ready to release. When is Saturn in Aries/Saturn in Aries dates 6 Saturn is about diligence, while Aries, as a Mars-ruled sign, is about impulse. Volodymyr – Saturn will burn in Aries from May 24th to September 1, 2025, when the planet will retrograde back into Pisces for a few months before returning to the cardinal fires of the ram from February 14, 2026, through April 13, 2028. Saturn is named for the Roman god of time, agriculture and renewal, often depicted with an errant party tit out of his toga and a sickle in his hand. This tool is apt when we consider the function of the planet in our lives and the perennial message that we reap what we sow and are only as strong as our ability to serve, sever and sacrifice. Once thought to be the last planet in the solar system, Saturn is known as a malefic and is associated with endings, limits, tough love and hard lessons. Saturn is a relatively slow-moving outer planet whose transits affect us on a personal and collective level. Saturn spends roughly three years in each zodiac sign — a pace that reflects the planet's attributes and detriments. Saturn in Aries meaning 6 Because Saturn rules the mechanics of the earth, farming, mining, and construction, Ankur foresees both instability and innovation in these realms. Thiago – Saturn is in its fall in the sign of Aries — meaning the planet cannot fully access or express its power. In kind, Wang maintains that this Saturn in Aries transit may inhibit impulsive behavior. 'Delays, obstacles and lessons in self-control will arise — yet this transit also teaches us strategic action, blending Aries' boldness with Saturn's discipline,' she said As a Mars-ruled sign, Aries is about conflict and Saturn represents the systematic — in this way, this transit is the art (Saturn) of war (Aries). The astrologer Palmst Ankur notes that Saturn is a cold and dry planet unsuitable for sustaining life, a fact that has historically led to Saturn being classified as 'malefic,' or destructive, by astrologers. Saturn is about structure, boundaries and diligence, while Aries — as a Mars-ruled sign, is about impulse and the bold pursuit of any desires — creating an acute tension within and around this transit. 6 Saturn rules governments and figureheads, particularly aged leaders. Ramziia – 'Saturn wants to inhibit, while Aries wants to burst forth, to grow. This incompatibility will mean certain significant challenges for the world,' Ankur told The Post. Ankur notes that this volatility will be amplified by other planetary transits. 'Pluto, the planet of radical resets, is in Aquarius, the sign of collectivities and social networks. Meanwhile, Uranus — the planet of sudden, dramatic change — will soon be in Gemini, the sign of overactive communication and intellectualism.' Add to the powder keg that Neptune, our planet of ideals and illusions, is also turning and burning in the impatient, imprudent sign of Aries. 'Imagine this cocktail and you can understand how the next few years will go.' Yikes. Saturn in Aries years 6 'Saturn represents the durability of structures, buildings and the earth itself. With Saturn in the sign of its fall, I anticipate severe earthquakes.' Minglu – In terms of how that cocktail will shake out, Ankur notes that we'll be subject to extreme events and literal and metaphorical upheaval. 'Saturn represents the durability of structures, buildings and the earth itself. With Saturn in the sign of its fall, I anticipate severe earthquakes.' In addition, Ankur said that because Saturn is associated with extremes and Aries with extreme force — we could be subject to cold temperatures, harsh rains, flooding and droughts. In terms of human affairs, Saturn oversees governments and figureheads, particularly aged leaders. 'I expect leaders, especially those who are old, to fall from power or fall gravely sick or even die during this period,' said Ankur. Because Saturn represents boundaries and Aries is synonymous with the new and the emerging — borders could be created or redrawn during this transit. 6 A Saturn return is something of an initiation that takes us deeper into adulthood, marking the lifelong process of growing up and growing closer to our essential selves. Thiago – According to Wang, this transit will push humanity to reckon with lessons tied to Aries' energy. 'Are we too aggressive, selfish and impatient? While this transit may feel restrictive, if we embrace patience and discipline, we can harness Aries' fiery drive,' Wang noted. 'Under this influence, success favors those who plan before they leap. Consider it a cosmic masterclass in balancing passion with wisdom.' Regarding the influence of Saturn in Aries on our personal lives, Ankur said it's truly a matter of whether we've done the work, as the planet restricts and rewards in equal measure. 'The belief that 'Saturn is bad' is false. What Saturn will do will depend on two things — its condition in your birth chart, and whether or not your work has merited Saturn's rewards.' At its best, Saturn roots and reminds us that without depth, there can be no true growth. Because Saturn is setting itself up in a cardinal sign, the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will feel its effects most acutely. Saturn return in Aries If you were born with Saturn in Aries in your birth chart, you're on the cusp of your Saturn return — meaning when the great malefic returns to the same sign and degree it was when you were born, heralding a time of trial and triumph. A Saturn return is an initiation that takes us deeper into adulthood, marking the lifelong process of growing up and growing closer to our essential selves. We experience a Saturn return between the ages of 27 to 31, 56 to 60 and 84 to 90. If you were born between 1996 and 1998, you're about to experience your first Saturn return — buckle up and bless up. Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could Ukraine have stopped Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014?
Amid reports that a U.S. peace proposal might include recognizing Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea, President Donald Trump denied Ukraine was being pressured to accept the move — while also asserting Ukraine had given up the peninsula in 2014 "without firing a shot." "Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on April 23. The claim that Ukraine simply handed over Crimea when Russia illegally annexed the peninsula in February 2014 ignores years of Moscow's military buildup in the region and the volatile political crisis occurring in Ukraine at the time that left Kyiv ill-equipped to mount a defense. Russia's annexation of Crimea coincided with the Euromaidan Revolution, widely considered the single most consequential political event in Ukraine's independent history that ended with the ousting of then pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. After Yanukovych ordered his security forces to open fire on protestors, killing around 100 people, he fled the country to Russia on Feb. 21, 2014. In the power vacuum left by his departure, Moscow moved to take over Crimea. The Kremlin had been amassing troops in Crimea for years thanks to agreements that had allowed it to station its Black Sea Fleet on the peninsula. This military presence enabled Moscow to take swift control over Crimea in less than a month. Russian special forces without insignia seized the building of the Supreme Council and the Crimean Ministers Council overnight on Feb. 27, 2014. A few weeks later, Russian soldiers took control of airports, Ukrainian military units, and the navy. While the takeover was largely without armed resistance, Ukrainian troops stationed at the Balbek Air Base did put up a fight against Russian troops. A total of 103 cadets, 2,239 soldiers and sailors, and 1,649 officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces held out for almost a month in a complete Russian encirclement in Crimea, then-acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov wrote recently on his personal website on April 14 in response to claims that the Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Crimea had not been commanded to defend their positions. Meanwhile, the U.S. and the U.K. — signatories of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which pledged to uphold Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for Kyiv surrendering its nuclear arsenal — did not come to Ukraine's defense. The agreement has been widely criticized for its vague political guarantees rather than firm commitments to protect Ukraine in the case of armed aggression. 'They explained that they didn't want to irritate Vladimir Putin or provoke a full-scale war in the heart of Europe. Ukraine wasn't given a single bullet,' Turchynov recalled. Russia began taking its first steps toward its future occupation of Crimea long before 2014, helped along by the government of then pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The Kharkiv agreements, signed by Yanukovych and then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 21, 2010, extended Russia's lease to station its Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol until 2042. The agreements signed that year also lifted any restrictions on Russian troops' movements around the peninsula, "creating all the necessary prerequisites for occupation," Turchynov wrote. The increase in the Russian fleet's presence, whose troops and military equipment exceeded that of Ukraine's in Crimea, was supposed to be in exchange for cheaper Russian gas for Ukraine by applying a discount in the form of canceling customs duties. The deal, however, threatened Ukraine's sovereignty. "This was a threat, because at any time, this group (of forces) could have launched wider-scale actions against our country," Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in 2021. Between 2010 and 2014, Russia began covertly bringing in modernized or refurbished equipment into Crimea to strengthen its military forces, according to Ukrainian intelligence (HUR). The agency also recorded incidents when Russia seized Ukrainian navigation equipment in 2011 and 2012. Russian troops were also actively forming new brigades on the Crimean peninsula. At the same time, the Ukrainian army had been experiencing long-lasting funding cuts. An ongoing reform of the army resulted in the disbanding of the 32nd Army Corps and the withdrawal of the 3rd Separate Special Forces Regiment, both of which were stationed in Crimea. Under the presidency of Viktor Yushchenko from 2005-2010, the issue of the Ukrainian military's combat capability and potential NATO membership was regularly raised. These discussions came to a standstill under Yanukovych. Toward the end of his presidential term, Yushchenko said in 2009 that the Ukrainian army had become a "victim of political intrigue," hinting that disagreements within the government had led to the impoverishment of the military. The situation around the peninsula heated up even more in late 2013. On the eve of the Olympic Games in Sochi, a city on the Black Sea coast, Russia announced the need to conduct additional security measures in the water to ensure safety during the sporting event. "Using this legend, the Russian military practiced blocking maritime waters, as well as the airspace, and conducted various reconnaissance operations. They used reconnaissance and long-range radar detection aircraft. They also conducted aggressive reconnaissance activities against Ukraine," Skibitskyi told RFE/RL. In late February 2014, Russian airborne troops from regions including Tula, Ryazan, and Kubinka were reportedly put on high alert and began movement toward the Black Sea coast. Ukraine had little capability to respond at that point. The Kremlin began its occupation of Crimea while Kyiv was in chaos after Yanukovych fled to Rostov-on-Don following the EuroMaidan. Instead of organizing the defense of Crimea, pro-Russian associates of the former president were also busy fleeing Ukraine. "The entire policy of Yanukovych started to fall into place: it weakened the Ukrainian state, paving the way for both the forthcoming annexation of Crimea and the attempt to separate the eastern and southern oblasts from the rest of the country," a report by the Warsaw Institute published in 2018 read. Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine's eastern regions with the use of proxies after it annexed Crimea, and attempted to sow instability in the south. After an interim government was set up in Kyiv, a secret meeting of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council was held on Feb. 28, 2014, almost a week after Russian forces began their operation on the peninsula. The participants decided to put the Ukrainian Armed Forces on full combat alert, appeal to the Budapest Memorandum guarantor countries, strengthen the defense of critical infrastructure, and create an operational headquarters for responding to the situation in Crimea. The decisions did little to drive Russia off the peninsula. Ukrainian admiral Denys Berezovskyi took over the Ukrainian Navy on March 1, 2014. The next day, he refused to comply with the Ukrainian authorities' orders, issuing one himself to subordinate units in Crimea military personnel to hand over their weapons to the warehouses and return military equipment to storage facilities. According to a transcript of the Feb. 28, 2014 NSDC meeting, then-Defense Minister Ihor Teniukh claimed that Ukraine had 15,000 soldiers on the peninsula at the end of February 2014. Turchynov later said that since the beginning of the occupation, 70% of Ukrainian soldiers betrayed their military oath, bringing their number down to 4,000. However, according to Teniukh, only up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers were combat ready. During his presidency, Yanukovych's party, the Party of Regions, in cooperation with Russian intelligence services kept close watch over Crimea, even preparing the ground for the upcoming invasion, according to the Warsaw Institute. In particular, Ukrainian military units, police, and Security Service officers were infiltrated and captured by Moscow agents, the Warsaw Institute. "Political disorientation, low morale, poor financial and logistical support, as well as the systematic work of Russian agents in the leadership of the security forces led to mass desertion and defection to the aggressor of most Ukrainian soldiers and officers stationed in occupied Crimea," Turchynov said. "Viktor Yanukovych surrendered Crimea deliberately. There was no pressure on him from the Russian Federation." "Most of the remnants of our military units, surrounded and scattered across the peninsula, were not even able to fulfill orders and basic requirements of military regulations, ensuring the defense of their positions with weapons," Turchynov added. Following the forcible seizure of Crimea, the Russian government held a referendum on the status of peninsula without international observers and with armed Russian soldiers present at polling locations. Russia soon after declared Crimea a part of Russia, cementing its illegal annexation on March 21, 2014. Most countries do not recognize the results of the referendum. "Viktor Yanukovych surrendered Crimea deliberately. There was no pressure on him from the Russian Federation," Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the former head of Ukraine's Security Service, said during Yanukovych's trial in absentia in 2018. The surrender of Crimea to Russia had been planned since 2010, when fugitive President Yanukovych came to office, he added. On March 24, 2014, Turchynov signed a decree enacting a decision of the NSDC to relocate military units and law enforcement agencies from Crimea to other regions of Ukraine. Within less than a month, Russia had moved to invade and partially occupy parts of eastern Ukraine. Read also: The origins of the 2014 war in Donbas We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
