They cannot explain their position
On March 7, 2022, four teenagers from Alushta filmed the desecration of the Russian flag. The footage shows one student tearing a small flag from a wall, attempting to break it, and eventually throwing it to the ground to wipe his feet. A girl then stepped in, and together they lifted the flag and cut it into pieces. The same girl who shot the video asked, Ukraine, what have you done to Russia? At that moment a fourth participant was busy graffitiing the front door of the building.
According to the Crimean SMERSH Telegram channel, law enforcement agencies moved quickly. After the youths could not be identified, they and their parents were summoned by the police. The message claimed the video had been shot a year earlier, that the youths could not explain their position, that all participants were minors in ninth grade, and that a restraining measure was resolved for them. Later, one of the participants posted a video on March 17, the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea to Russia, which the country marked on March 18.
Social activist Alexander Talipov told reporters via the channel that the question of pressing criminal charges was still under consideration. In an apology video, two girls and two young men took turns describing their mistakes. They stated that on March 7, 2022 they committed an act of desecration of the Russian flag and apologized for their actions. They promised it would never happen again. One youth member apologized for acting out of stupidity, saying he regretted his words and expressed respect and love for his homeland. Another student admitted his actions were foolish, understood their wrongness, and apologized to the country. The final participant acknowledged understanding of the wrong and called the act too stupid, ending with an apology to the entire nation.
Readovka Telegram channel traced where the youths allegedly worked. Correspondents reached the school principal, who acknowledged the incident and suggested additional work with the students. The director described the act as extremely disgusting. Crimean SMERSH later stated the youths had been placed on all accounts.
What not to do with the Russian tricolor
On the State Flag holiday, August 22, the State Duma published guidance on proper and improper conduct with the Russian flag. The document notes that the flag has historic roots tied to the early Russian navy, with usage dating back to the 19th century and a revival in 1991. It explains that the flag became a state symbol following its official approval later that year.
The State Duma page explains that the federal law On the State Flag of the Russian Federation, established in December 2000, governs flag use. The article notes that the original law listed a clear set of permitted and prohibited uses and that violations were punishable. In 2008 the law was amended to allow respectful usage by citizens and organizations, while cautioning that disrespect could still carry criminal consequences. Violations of flag usage can lead to penalties including restricted freedom, labor, or short-term detention, and the statute outlines what constitutes disrespect. Examples include deliberately burning, destroying, or damaging the flag and public expressions of anger. Fines range from two to three thousand rubles for citizens, five to seven thousand for officials, and 100 to 150 thousand for legal entities.
Citation: State Duma guidance and legal framework were summarized for this report by the Readovka Telegram channel and official sources cited by Crimean authorities. [Citation: Readovka Telegram channel; Crimean authorities]