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| No regrets over Ukraine split, but Crimeans want more love from Russia | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Oleg Zubkov was such a big supporter of the Russian seizure of Crimea that he promised to set his lions on any Ukrainian nationalists who attempted to enter the peninsula. | Oleg Zubkov was such a big supporter of the Russian seizure of Crimea that he promised to set his lions on any Ukrainian nationalists who attempted to enter the peninsula. |
| An eccentric businessman who built and runs the two biggest zoos in Crimea, Zubkov even named one of his Siberian tigers Referendum; it was born on 16 March 2014, the day Crimea voted to return to Russia in a hastily organised poll branded illegitimate by the international community. | An eccentric businessman who built and runs the two biggest zoos in Crimea, Zubkov even named one of his Siberian tigers Referendum; it was born on 16 March 2014, the day Crimea voted to return to Russia in a hastily organised poll branded illegitimate by the international community. |
| Less than two years later, Referendum the tiger has grown into a majestic beast almost two metres long, but Zubkov is in conflict with Crimea’s new Russian government and is having second thoughts about Moscow’s takeover. | Less than two years later, Referendum the tiger has grown into a majestic beast almost two metres long, but Zubkov is in conflict with Crimea’s new Russian government and is having second thoughts about Moscow’s takeover. |
| “Under Ukraine things here were bad, but now Russia is here, things are even worse,” he said, as he drove a golf buggy around Taigan, around an hour’s drive from Crimea’s capital Simferopol. The zoo features 70 lions, 25 tigers and a host of other exotic creatures, living in conditions that appear unusually humane and well kept by regional standards. | “Under Ukraine things here were bad, but now Russia is here, things are even worse,” he said, as he drove a golf buggy around Taigan, around an hour’s drive from Crimea’s capital Simferopol. The zoo features 70 lions, 25 tigers and a host of other exotic creatures, living in conditions that appear unusually humane and well kept by regional standards. |
| In 2013 Taigan had 500,000 visitors, but since the new year, Zubkov has closed both Taigan and his other zoo near Yalta. “The red tape, the corruption, the incompetence; it’s impossible to do anything here now,” he said. He has written to President Vladimir Putin asking him to intervene with the local Crimean authorities. | In 2013 Taigan had 500,000 visitors, but since the new year, Zubkov has closed both Taigan and his other zoo near Yalta. “The red tape, the corruption, the incompetence; it’s impossible to do anything here now,” he said. He has written to President Vladimir Putin asking him to intervene with the local Crimean authorities. |
| The businessman’s story reflects a broader mood in today’s Crimea. While few of those who initially supported the annexation have any desire to return to Ukrainian rule, there is a widespread admittance that Russian rule has not been quite the panacea for the country’s ills that had been expected. | The businessman’s story reflects a broader mood in today’s Crimea. While few of those who initially supported the annexation have any desire to return to Ukrainian rule, there is a widespread admittance that Russian rule has not been quite the panacea for the country’s ills that had been expected. |
| Related: Crimea children’s theatre forced to shut for ‘promoting western propaganda’ | Related: Crimea children’s theatre forced to shut for ‘promoting western propaganda’ |
| “Crimea deserves more than it has got over the past two years,” said Leonid Grach, the last communist leader of the territory before the Soviet Union collapsed. “It should have been an example region of what can be done ... instead it feels like we are Russia’s unloved stepdaughter.” | “Crimea deserves more than it has got over the past two years,” said Leonid Grach, the last communist leader of the territory before the Soviet Union collapsed. “It should have been an example region of what can be done ... instead it feels like we are Russia’s unloved stepdaughter.” |
| Grach said he spoke to Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu by telephone in the early days of the Russian intervention in Crimea and was offered the prime ministership, but eventually the Russians settled on Russian nationalists Sergei Aksyonov and Vladimir Konstantinov. | Grach said he spoke to Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu by telephone in the early days of the Russian intervention in Crimea and was offered the prime ministership, but eventually the Russians settled on Russian nationalists Sergei Aksyonov and Vladimir Konstantinov. |
| “The money has not gone to solve problems but has lined the pockets of the Crimean nouveaux riches,” said Grach. | “The money has not gone to solve problems but has lined the pockets of the Crimean nouveaux riches,” said Grach. |
| Many express irritation with Aksyonov, who is rumoured to have past links to criminal groups – which he has denied – and who apparently went by the nickname “the Goblin” in the 1990s. Formerly a marginal Russian nationalist, he was chosen by Moscow to lead the popular uprising that gave Russia the pretext for annexing the region, and was rewarded with the position of regional governor. | Many express irritation with Aksyonov, who is rumoured to have past links to criminal groups – which he has denied – and who apparently went by the nickname “the Goblin” in the 1990s. Formerly a marginal Russian nationalist, he was chosen by Moscow to lead the popular uprising that gave Russia the pretext for annexing the region, and was rewarded with the position of regional governor. |
| “It’s a government of goblins. In the time they’ve been in power I could have taught one of my chimpanzees to be a better politician,” said Zubkov. | “It’s a government of goblins. In the time they’ve been in power I could have taught one of my chimpanzees to be a better politician,” said Zubkov. |
| Aksyonov has been through a tough time in recent months. The territory has been under severe western sanctions since the annexation, and in recent months a Ukrainian trade blockade has also been enforced. After Ukrainian activists blew up energy pipelines to Crimea in late November, the region was plunged into darkness. People ate dinner by candlelight, factories shut down and even traffic lights stopped working for the first few days. | Aksyonov has been through a tough time in recent months. The territory has been under severe western sanctions since the annexation, and in recent months a Ukrainian trade blockade has also been enforced. After Ukrainian activists blew up energy pipelines to Crimea in late November, the region was plunged into darkness. People ate dinner by candlelight, factories shut down and even traffic lights stopped working for the first few days. |
| The situation is normalising, said Svetlana Borodulina, Crimea’s minister of energy, in an interview in Simferopol, but the region is still about 20% under capacity, and will not be fully self-sufficient until two major generator stations come online in 2018. Crimea is still in an official state of emergency, and many residents are still without power for a number of hours each day. Factories have moved from working all day to shift hours to make sure their work takes place outside peak times. | The situation is normalising, said Svetlana Borodulina, Crimea’s minister of energy, in an interview in Simferopol, but the region is still about 20% under capacity, and will not be fully self-sufficient until two major generator stations come online in 2018. Crimea is still in an official state of emergency, and many residents are still without power for a number of hours each day. Factories have moved from working all day to shift hours to make sure their work takes place outside peak times. |
| Borodulina said the government response was impressive, with officials sometimes working until 3am to ensure the most important facilities were supplied with generators. However, others have criticised the response, and Aksyonov himself railed at his subordinates in a government meeting, furious at those who had taken holidays during the state of emergency. “Achieving a result is an impossible task. I’m starting to understand Grandpa Stalin,” Aksyonov said, in televised remarks. | Borodulina said the government response was impressive, with officials sometimes working until 3am to ensure the most important facilities were supplied with generators. However, others have criticised the response, and Aksyonov himself railed at his subordinates in a government meeting, furious at those who had taken holidays during the state of emergency. “Achieving a result is an impossible task. I’m starting to understand Grandpa Stalin,” Aksyonov said, in televised remarks. |
| Related: Bengal tiger cub dies of cold at Crimea zoo hit by power cuts | Related: Bengal tiger cub dies of cold at Crimea zoo hit by power cuts |
| For Zubkov, the blackout ended in tragedy, as three of his tiger cubs died of an infection, after he was unable to keep them warm, and generators brought to his zoos were removed by local authorities. The local prosecutor then accused Zubkov of allowing the animals to die to gain publicity, threatening a criminal case. The businessman said the allegations were ridiculous, and also accused the government of stealing money earmarked for generators to prevent a situation that many had predicted, given the reliance on Ukrainian electricity. | For Zubkov, the blackout ended in tragedy, as three of his tiger cubs died of an infection, after he was unable to keep them warm, and generators brought to his zoos were removed by local authorities. The local prosecutor then accused Zubkov of allowing the animals to die to gain publicity, threatening a criminal case. The businessman said the allegations were ridiculous, and also accused the government of stealing money earmarked for generators to prevent a situation that many had predicted, given the reliance on Ukrainian electricity. |
| Zubkov knows each of his lions by name, bounding into their cages and frolicking with the beasts as if they were mischievous pet kittens. Caesar, who weighs 330kg, gets a tickled belly and a ruffle of the mane, which a majestic tigress is given a pat on the back and a playful pull on the tail. But while Zubkov can find a common language with his wild cats, he has a harder time doing so with Crimean officials. | Zubkov knows each of his lions by name, bounding into their cages and frolicking with the beasts as if they were mischievous pet kittens. Caesar, who weighs 330kg, gets a tickled belly and a ruffle of the mane, which a majestic tigress is given a pat on the back and a playful pull on the tail. But while Zubkov can find a common language with his wild cats, he has a harder time doing so with Crimean officials. |
| “They are so in love with their image as heroes, but they did nothing, they are just bandits who were in the right place at the right time,” he said. | “They are so in love with their image as heroes, but they did nothing, they are just bandits who were in the right place at the right time,” he said. |
| A new survey released earlier this month by a Russian institute claims Aksyonov still has a high approval rating and Crimeans feel overwhelmingly optimistic about the future. But those who disagree with the annexation have either left or are keeping very quiet, while even the most pro-Russian Crimeans admit things have not quite gone to plan. | A new survey released earlier this month by a Russian institute claims Aksyonov still has a high approval rating and Crimeans feel overwhelmingly optimistic about the future. But those who disagree with the annexation have either left or are keeping very quiet, while even the most pro-Russian Crimeans admit things have not quite gone to plan. |
| “There is a credit of trust for three to five years, and this has been reinforced by the energy blockade. But some people are still celebrating the return of Crimea. It’s time to stop celebrating and get to work. If you don’t work on the problems and difficulties as well as talk about the positive things, this goodwill will quickly evaporate,” said Evgeny Kopatko, one of those who worked on the survey. | “There is a credit of trust for three to five years, and this has been reinforced by the energy blockade. But some people are still celebrating the return of Crimea. It’s time to stop celebrating and get to work. If you don’t work on the problems and difficulties as well as talk about the positive things, this goodwill will quickly evaporate,” said Evgeny Kopatko, one of those who worked on the survey. |
| In Sevastopol, which is home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and has its own administrative structures that report directly to Moscow, there has been a public falling-out in the administration, as Alexei Chaly, a local pro-Russian businessman who emerged as the “hero” of the annexation process, has criticised the current government led by Kremlin-appointed Sergei Menyailo. | In Sevastopol, which is home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and has its own administrative structures that report directly to Moscow, there has been a public falling-out in the administration, as Alexei Chaly, a local pro-Russian businessman who emerged as the “hero” of the annexation process, has criticised the current government led by Kremlin-appointed Sergei Menyailo. |
| Aides to Chaly said he turned down Putin’s request to lead Sevastopol after annexation because he wanted to leave the job to professional politicians, but when he saw what a hash of it they were making, soon changed his mind and stood for speaker of the local parliament. Since he took up the post in autumn 2014, he has been at loggerheads with Menyailo. | Aides to Chaly said he turned down Putin’s request to lead Sevastopol after annexation because he wanted to leave the job to professional politicians, but when he saw what a hash of it they were making, soon changed his mind and stood for speaker of the local parliament. Since he took up the post in autumn 2014, he has been at loggerheads with Menyailo. |
| Those close to Chaly say he had worked tirelessly for decades to bring Sevastopol into Russia’s fold, but found himself disappointed by the current rulers, and frustrated that his plans for innovative projects and strategic development were being ignored. Chaly is currently in Moscow holding talks with Kremlin officials, trying to persuade Moscow to relieve Menyailo of his duties. | Those close to Chaly say he had worked tirelessly for decades to bring Sevastopol into Russia’s fold, but found himself disappointed by the current rulers, and frustrated that his plans for innovative projects and strategic development were being ignored. Chaly is currently in Moscow holding talks with Kremlin officials, trying to persuade Moscow to relieve Menyailo of his duties. |
| “He went there to say ‘I’m ready to work if you get rid of this idiot’,” said a pro-Chaly member of Sevastopol’s legislative assembly, who asked not to be identified. “We don’t know what the result will be. Putin doesn’t like to make decisions under pressure. And while they admire his honesty and his genuine nature, they won’t forgive him for publicly criticising the system.” | “He went there to say ‘I’m ready to work if you get rid of this idiot’,” said a pro-Chaly member of Sevastopol’s legislative assembly, who asked not to be identified. “We don’t know what the result will be. Putin doesn’t like to make decisions under pressure. And while they admire his honesty and his genuine nature, they won’t forgive him for publicly criticising the system.” |
| Many of those who held pro-Ukrainian views in Crimea left after the annexation; most of those who have remained prefer to keep quiet, as the space for expressing critical viewpoints has narrowed. | Many of those who held pro-Ukrainian views in Crimea left after the annexation; most of those who have remained prefer to keep quiet, as the space for expressing critical viewpoints has narrowed. |
| Leonid Kuzmin, a pro-Ukraine activist, was put on trial last year for organising a small rally to celebrate the birthday of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, and subsequently lost his job as a history teacher. He now works as a dental assistant and has stopped organising public events after repeated threats from Russian security services. However, when he last travelled to Kiev, he was stopped at the border for six hours by Ukrainian border guards and accused of being a separatist, underlining the difficulties faced on all sides by those who support Ukraine and decide to stay in Crimea. | Leonid Kuzmin, a pro-Ukraine activist, was put on trial last year for organising a small rally to celebrate the birthday of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, and subsequently lost his job as a history teacher. He now works as a dental assistant and has stopped organising public events after repeated threats from Russian security services. However, when he last travelled to Kiev, he was stopped at the border for six hours by Ukrainian border guards and accused of being a separatist, underlining the difficulties faced on all sides by those who support Ukraine and decide to stay in Crimea. |
| For many, the trade blockade by Ukrainian forces and electricity blackout has only reinforced their dislike for Ukraine. Even if they are hugely disappointed by events since Crimea was taken over, they still do not regret the move. | For many, the trade blockade by Ukrainian forces and electricity blackout has only reinforced their dislike for Ukraine. Even if they are hugely disappointed by events since Crimea was taken over, they still do not regret the move. |
| Zubkov, the zoo owner, was born in Russia but studied in Kiev and is married to a Ukrainian, and said he had the “warmest feelings” towards Ukraine. But nationalist slogans during the Maidan revolution and the spate of Lenin statues being pulled down across Ukraine led him to throw his weight behind the Russian annexation, he said. | Zubkov, the zoo owner, was born in Russia but studied in Kiev and is married to a Ukrainian, and said he had the “warmest feelings” towards Ukraine. But nationalist slogans during the Maidan revolution and the spate of Lenin statues being pulled down across Ukraine led him to throw his weight behind the Russian annexation, he said. |
| “I remember walking through Maidan, and it scared me, frankly. Of course more and more people are disappointed here these days but I still think the historical process of becoming part of Russia was right,” he said. He still has hopes that Moscow will sort out the mess on the ground. If not, he said, he will have no choice but to sell up and leave his animals behind. | “I remember walking through Maidan, and it scared me, frankly. Of course more and more people are disappointed here these days but I still think the historical process of becoming part of Russia was right,” he said. He still has hopes that Moscow will sort out the mess on the ground. If not, he said, he will have no choice but to sell up and leave his animals behind. |
| The member of the legislative assembly in Sevastopol said: “There are people here who are sober about the current Russian political system. This regime in the Kremlin is temporary, but what’s important is that we’re in Russia now, and that is forever.” | The member of the legislative assembly in Sevastopol said: “There are people here who are sober about the current Russian political system. This regime in the Kremlin is temporary, but what’s important is that we’re in Russia now, and that is forever.” |