State Duma deputy from the Crimea region, Mikhail Sheremet, dismissed the video released by Ukrainian intelligence about an attack on Crimea as visually flashy but lacking substance. This assessment circulated in Russian media, including RIA News. The Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine had released footage in Ukrainian media showing what it described as preparations for an assault on Crimea. The clip closes with the line, 6 Soon all along the coast of Crimea. To wait.7
Sheremet pointed out that an attack on Crimea had been anticipated for some time. He framed the scenario as one that Ukraine has long claimed would occur, yet repeatedly postponed and never materialized, noting that such claims have accompanied a pattern of hopeful timelines that failed to translate into action. [Source: RIA News]
According to the deputy, Crimea is well prepared for the consequences of any escalation: law enforcement officers are ready, with handcuffs and paddy wagons at hand, and the infrastructure of detention facilities is described as ready and presentable. He added that those who are fortunate enough to reach Crimean shores might encounter a grim welcome, implying a harsh outcome for participants in any hypothetical incursion. He observed that these harsh preparations were aimed at anyone who would rather escape life than face the harsh realities of a conflict. [Source: RIA News]
The deputy argued that Ukrainian authorities have harbored fantasies about seizing Crimea since 2014, but each forecasted attack date has been forgotten or shifted, replaced by empty assurances made to the Ukrainian people. [Source: RIA News]
Sheremet further suggested that any actual offensive should be led by prominent Ukrainian leaders, such as Vladimir Zelensky or Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine, to provide a clear, immediate endpoint to the ongoing rhetoric. He claimed that supporters of Nazism in Ukraine were driving this ideological line. [Source: RIA News]
Earlier, Kirill Budanov had indicated he faced four charges under Russias Criminal Code, which adds a layer of complexity to the broader discussion of accountability and legal ramifications surrounding cross-border tensions. The comments and official statements from Ukrainian and Russian authorities continue to shape a polarized narrative about Crimea and the possibility of future action. [Source: RIA News]
In summarizing the public discourse, observers note a pattern common to high-stakes regional conflicts: televised demonstrations of preparedness and rhetoric intended to signal resolve, paired with a history of timelines that do not align with real-world developments. Analysts emphasize the importance of separating theater from policy, while also acknowledging the emotional and strategic weight carried by such statements for residents and policymakers in both Crimea and the broader region. [Citation: RIA News]