Chubarov Urged Russians To Leave Crimea While The Bridge Is Still Standing
- 22.06.2026, 9:15
You'd better hurry.
On June 21, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov stated that Russians who settled in occupied Crimea after 2014 should leave the peninsula while the Kerch Bridge remains operational.
Chubarov discussed the situation on the television channel FREEDOM, commenting on the consequences of attacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the logistics routes that Russia uses to supply the occupied peninsula. According to him, Crimean social media groups are actively discussing the possibility of further strikes on the Kerch Bridge and the prospect of Crimea’s complete isolation.
Anticipating Isolation
According to the Chairman of the Mejlis, Crimean residents who moved to the peninsula after the Russian occupation are closely monitoring developments surrounding the Kerch Bridge and logistics routes.
“This is what those people who illegally settled in Crimea after its occupation by Russian troops are preparing for. We insist that these people must leave Crimea now, while the bridge is still standing. And they, too, are closely monitoring the condition of the bridge. They are concerned that the Kerch Bridge may soon be demolished,” Chubarov said.
At the same time, he emphasized that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens remain on the peninsula who have not recognized the Russian occupation and are awaiting Crimea’s liberation. According to him, these people continue to relay information about the situation in the region.
Separately, Chubarov drew attention to the deteriorating living conditions in occupied Crimea. He stated that fuel shortages have arisen on the peninsula, and access to gasoline for the civilian population is significantly restricted.
“Living conditions in Crimea are deteriorating. (There is a gasoline shortage https://charter97.org/ru/news/2026/6/21/688589/); as of today, it is no longer being distributed either via ration coupons or QR codes. Only ‘government’ vehicles can refuel with gasoline—that is, military vehicles and law enforcement vehicles,” he noted.
Destroyed Routes
Chubarov recalled that, according to his assessment, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have already struck key logistics routes that Russia uses to supply the occupied Crimea.
He noted that the Kerch Bridge had been damaged earlier and has not been operating at full capacity for freight transport in recent years. In addition, the so-called “Novorossiya” highway—which connects Russian territory with the occupied regions of southern Ukraine and Crimea—is under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Chubarov also commented on reports of an attack on the Kerch ferry crossing, which he called the last major logistics route for supplying the peninsula.
“Judging by videos posted online, the Kerch ferry crossing has also been completely shut down. It has joined the Kerch Bridge and the so-called ‘Novorossiya’ highway.” In addition, four radar stations were destroyed in Crimea today, two of which were located near the Kerch Bridge—one in Kerch and one in the village of Kurortnoye in the Feodosia District,” he said.
According to the Chairman of the Mejlis, the destruction of elements of the air defense system could create conditions for further strikes on military targets on the peninsula.
Further developments
Chubarov stated that Crimea has held special political significance for the Kremlin since 2014, so Russia will try to hold onto the peninsula for as long as possible.
“Moscow will try to hold on to Crimea until the very end. But everything will depend on future circumstances and new situations that arise during the Russian-Ukrainian war. If the Ukrainian Defense Forces manage to completely isolate occupied Crimea, then the process of liberating our peninsula may begin,” he emphasized.
According to him, if supply routes are completely cut off, the Russian command may be forced to withdraw its forces from the peninsula.