Crimeans should prepare for military operation to liberate peninsula from Russia - Nariman Dzhelal

The politician said this in an interview with the Krym Realii project, recorded in Kyiv, where Dzhelal is now staying with his wife and three daughters.

According to him, the Russian Federation leaves no choice, so the Crimean peninsula will have to be liberated by military means.

"Do not dream. Don't even dream. And it's not because Ukraine doesn't want it (de-occupation of Crimea through diplomatic means - ed.) or the world doesn't want it. Russia does not want it. Therefore, it is clear that Crimea will be liberated in different ways. Including by military means. And we need to be prepared. And we must understand that there will be victims. And so we need to figure out how to act when this military operation begins," explained the First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis.

First of all, he emphasized, Crimeans should prepare food supplies and emergency bags. He also addressed those "who want to be more active".

"That's why I want to appeal to the residents of Crimea: be careful, realize that life there is not normal. And that you need to prepare for what is to come. Prepare your suitcases, supplies, some necessary things that will help you in case of a military operation. Whether it happens or not, be prepared for it. Most likely, it will happen. Do not be deceived, do not listen to this propaganda that says everything is fine. It is not. Get ready and wait for what happens. And if you want to be more active, get ready too. This will also be necessary," Nariman Dzhelal said.

• On June 28, 2024, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of 10 Ukrainians from Russian captivity. Among them was Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis Nariman Dzhelyal.

• A few days before he arrived in Kyiv, his wife Leviza Dzhelal and their three children arrived from Crimea. The occupation Russian authorities let them out of the peninsula.

• In 2021, the politician was detained on charges of sabotage at a gas pipeline in the Crimean mountains.

• Since the beginning of the Russian occupation, Dzhelal has remained on the peninsula on principle and has been taking care of the persecuted Crimean Tatars.