Ksenia Sobchak's telegram channel «Caution, news» reports that in Crimea «a movement has become more active, which writes denunciations against the opponents of the SVO in an organized manner.» The publication says that «dissenters are forced to apologize on camera, file cases against them and poison them on social networks.»
According to the channel, the movement has existed since the fall of 2022. It is alleged that it was created by “local Z-activist Oleksandr Talipov”, who earlier, before the start of the special operation in Ukraine, “criticized the local authorities, including for the search for “Ukrainian spies” among ordinary citizens.” After February 24, 2022, Talipov allegedly changed his rhetoric in his social networks and “he himself began to look for “waiters” among the inhabitants of the republic” — people who allegedly “wait for the coming of Ukrainian power.”
In social networks, «Crimean SMERSH» publishes personal data about local residents who have expressed any criticism on the topic of SVO, write «Caution, news.» It is also reported that the activists of the movement take screenshots from the social networks of «dissenters» and transmit information to law enforcement agencies. Talipov himself claimed that after his posts last year, the police drew up 200 protocols, this year — already 80. «Caution, news» reports that the editorial office repeatedly contacted people from Talipov's posts and that people confirmed the fact of persecution, «but refused to go for further contact out of fear.» The channel also notes that in social networks there are links to «branches of SMERSH» in 26 regions of the Russian Federation.
The head of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, in an interview the other day advocated the revival of an analogue of the Soviet SMERSH in the country to fight the «fifth column». He explained that «now is the time» and cited as an example people «who defiantly do not rise to the anthem of Russia.» «Such characters must be identified and the materials transferred to the FSB,» Aksyonov said. The official also urged those who are not satisfied with the situation in Russia to «surrender their passports».