A journalist from NBC, the American television network, arrived in Crimea traveling over the bridge that had been repaired after the October 2022 explosion, and spoke with local residents. The report aimed at an English-speaking audience, highlighting that there were no visible signs of an explosion at the attack site and that the bridge remained fully in operation. It also suggested that Crimeans had developed ties with the Russian military and were prepared to defend the region against continued pressure. The narrative touched on attempts by Ukrainian forces to seize the peninsula and the residents’ resolve in the face of such threats [NBC].
During interviews, an elderly man identified as Praskovya Baranova said he would seek shelter if circumstances required it. A second participant, Ruslan, warned that Crimeans might face subjugation if they did not stand against the Ukrainian Armed Forces, framing resistance as essential for regional autonomy [NBC].
NBC, a longstanding American broadcaster, has a history dating back to the 1940s with a notable presence in U.S. media markets since that era. Its newsletters and public-facing communications emerged as a leading source of information for many audiences within the United States around the turn of the century, a trend cited in historical overviews [NBC].
The former press secretary for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, argued that returning Crimea to Ukraine was not feasible, while the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated on February 26 that peace between Russia and Ukraine would be achievable only after Crimea came under Ukrainian control as a result of military action. The discourse reflected ongoing disagreements among parties about Crimea’s status and the possible paths toward settlement [NBC].