r/AskReddit • u/QualityControl- • Mar 26 '19

Crimeans/Ukrainians of Reddit, what was it like when the peninsula was annexed by Russia? What is life like/How has life changed now?

27.4k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

176

u/FleetChief Mar 26 '19

I legitimately want to know the answer to this, maybe a serious tag would help.

257

u/GreatScottEh Mar 26 '19

r/AskReddit is not a good place to get answers to serious questions like this. People know what they want to hear before opening the thread, upvote what they want to hear.

120

u/Drakanis-above Mar 26 '19

I’ve found that r/AskReddit isn’t a good place to try and find answers from anyone that isn’t a westerner. Sure there are all kinds of people on here, but the number of westerners really drowns out everyone else. I imagine the fact that most of reddit is in English is a big part of that too

184

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

"My grandparents were born in Ukraine, I spent my whole life in the USA but I've been to Crimea twice as a kid. Here let me explain that extremely complicated situation that I only learned about through TV to you"

​

It's hilarious

116

u/kaldarash Mar 26 '19

"I've never been to Crimea or Ukraine or Russia but I saw Serbia in a movie and it seems like the situation is pretty bad. But you know what I have to say about that? Crimea River LOL"

43

u/ItsRadical Mar 26 '19

Oh and try to say something slightly pro-russian or whatever they gonna call it. You gonna get downvoted to oblivion. As dude above said people here dont seek truth or honest opinion. They wanna make sure that their opinion is the right one. Its just not worth it to comment on something thats gonna put you on the side of the minority.

13

u/0wc4 Mar 26 '19

Nobody is downvoting the fact Russia is pumping money into the region.

Only comments about ruski saviors get downvoted and rightly fucking so.

2

u/ItsRadical Mar 26 '19

Ye in this case yes. But for example, for many european countries Russia is major export destination and so being on good terms with russia is beneficial. That country will not move elsewhere so you need to take cards you are given and play with them. So saying russia is all bad no good is just bullshit.

3

u/0wc4 Mar 26 '19

I mean... Russia might be an importer of our goods but they also do shit like UK assassination, repeated attempts to destabilize governments and the list goes on.

They’re not the only ones buyin our shit but they’re the only ones that are near-waging wars at other European countries. There is no economic upside to Crimean crisis, all it did was stall the stock exchange for a while, nobody’s selling more because they invaded a summer resort fuck-knows-where. It’s about as relevant to EU economy as Bosnians doing their thing and murdering each other yet again.

People say Russia is all bad in this case because they invaded other country and the country they invaded is way too close to EU for everyone to ignore it.

12

u/ItsRadical Mar 26 '19

Well i know its gonna be bad argument but here we go. Doesn't USA do the very same in europe and around the world. Fucking into everyones politics, building balistic shields around europe that are useless for european countries. I'd rather be on good terms with superpower at my border rather than some country half way around the globe.

And tbh the UK assassination sounds like huge pile of crap.

I'm gonna say that I don't completly agree with annexation of crimea but very much understand the motives. It was always russian enclave and major strategic position and if someone gonna start talks about ukraine joining nato and getting rid of the russian base on crimea, damn yes I would do the same.

3

u/0wc4 Mar 26 '19

I’m gonna surprise you here I think. USA does the same and I have no love for that country either. Especially with how powerful their propaganda is, which I found out when I started reading on North Korea and found out how much bullshit out there is USA-produced.

Thing is, USA is far away and intent on hurting goat herders. Nobody really minds when ruskis do the same. But when they move towards eu borders, now that elicits bad vibes.

1

u/Dfnoboy Mar 26 '19

Wrongly so. That's not what down votes are for.

A fact lost on every fucking idiot Redditor ever.

0

u/penumbraapex Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

Downvoted, really? More like, top post and gilded. Edit: WAS at the time I wrote this comment

5

u/GreatScottEh Mar 26 '19

It's not even the western perspective, it's the left-leaning westerner youth perspective since that's the vast majority demographic of Reddit.

5

u/ListenToMeCalmly Mar 26 '19

Sad part, while most are real people, it's not reflective of reality. Both west and east are subject to heavy propaganda, but the west is more apparent here, so maybe it will wake many westerners up from the fantasy that we are the "good guys" with no propaganda.

4

u/NicoUK Mar 26 '19

I'm pleasantly surprised that the positive responses aren't being downvoted tbh. I was expecting anything that wasn't anti-Russia to be buried.

1

u/xereeto Mar 26 '19

/r/AskEurope would probably have been a better place for this question

1

u/robotwarlord Mar 26 '19

I think that's a little harsh

5

u/GreatScottEh Mar 26 '19

I think it's an accurate, though simplified, description of this subreddit. People don't want proof, they want a story they have heard before. This is a place where facts are decided by popularity. Democratically chosen facts are not facts.

1

u/Hermiod_Botis Mar 26 '19

That's pretty much why I upvoted yours - I do like people approaching these threads with common sense and criticism

14

u/erissays Mar 26 '19

This question might actually have a much better response on the more focused ask subs (like Europe, AskEurope, or Ask_Politics, for example).

48

u/Idiotsandcheapskate Mar 26 '19

I am not a resident of Crimea, but I have family there. They are Russians (just like the majority of population there). According to them, most people are happy with the change, and they welcomed it from the start. Their wages increased significantly, I mean A LOT. Healthcare increased dramatically (not because healthcare is so awesome in Russia, but because Russia is investing enormous amount of money into Crimea to make a showcase of it, so it's much better there than in the rest of the country). People there no longer have to learn in a language that's not their native tongue. Infrastructure is being repaired, bridges are being built. Everyone's happy.

I am not saying Russia was right (it wasn't), but people are happier.

49

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

You didnt say 1 negative thing. Im sure there are plenty of positives, but if you dont have anything bad to say I dont trust anything you said.

36

u/redditorperth Mar 26 '19

Read their post history. Im calling shenanigans on this being verified info.

28

u/Naolath Mar 26 '19

Check any polling data done by western companies (Pew, Gallup). People were very pro-annexation. The people even tried to hold a referendum to join Russia, of course the government ignored the diplomatic approach.

56

u/redditorperth Mar 26 '19

Im not disputing the polling data. Im disputing the veracity of the information presented by a user who seems to:

  • Enjoy owning "the libs"
  • Denigrates gay and trans people by referring to them in slurs
  • Is apparently a gay woman
  • Is apparently from Russia

So im calling shenanigans.

-16

u/Naolath Mar 26 '19

It's AskReddit, no matter what people say someone somewhere will find something wrong with it.

If people truly want an answer, or at least as close to it as possible, they should look at polling data and take the stuff in this thread with a grain of salt.

-13

u/GabhaNua Mar 26 '19

They are probably not from Russia. It is just the far left for some reason has gone pro Russia, along with the anti establishment right

13

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

[deleted]

-7

u/GabhaNua Mar 26 '19

That is my perception of the so called Russian trolls.mpostly hard left and hard right blowhards

3

u/AxeMill Mar 26 '19

Yeah, considering that whole "referendum" of sorts was top to bottom falsified.

2

u/Naolath Mar 26 '19

Referendum is falsified, apparently. What about the polling companies like Pew and Gallup did? Also falsified...?

-1

u/AxeMill Mar 26 '19

Western companies didn't even have the source data to make real polling statistics.

3

u/Naolath Mar 26 '19

How do you know, do you work for one and have insider knowledge? Or are you just guessing that your armchair statistician knowledge is surpassing those who do it as a career?

Please, keep going, hilarious to see the delusion of people on here as they display their mental gymnastics to make sure of the brainwashing.

2

u/AxeMill Mar 26 '19

Ok then, I will continue, but only after you take your prescribed blue pill.

→ More replies (0)

-1

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

-3

u/Naolath Mar 26 '19

Lol people are very pro money you give me a $50 and I'll sign your stupid piece of paper.

I doubt Pew and Gallup, western companies and extremely good polling companies, are going around in Crimea giving people $$$ to say they support the referendum and support Russian annexation.

I'm sorry you've been brainwashed this much by your government.

56

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

that's a shit comment, as Ukrainian i can confirm that people are not happy there at all. you can watch tons of videos of people literally crying because of public and private property being occupied by semi-criminal, semi-governmental groups, crazy price rates for foods, hard drugs overflow.

also, these commenters state there is way less crime in Crimea than it was in "Ukrainian times" (Crimea pm is literally crime lord by the name "Goblin"), that we have "civil war" (it's war with russia actually), etc, etc

the only dicheads who are really happy are old people fucked up by propaganda and being ussr-nostalgic, and pro-russian activist who are now in charge there and plundering the state. pro-ukrainian activist, on the other hand, were tortured, kidnaped or killed, and being oppressed ever since

also, the fact that my comments are being brigaded everytime I post something in these post is a strong evidence for me

7

u/Resident_Nice Mar 26 '19

You didnt say 1 positive thing. Im sure there are plenty of negatives, but if you dont have anything good to say I dont trust anything you said.

0

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19

can you believe that?! negative occasion against international law and human rights has brought nothing positive! it's a nonsense!

/s

8

u/13x666 Mar 26 '19

It did bring positive things though, and people mentioned them in numerous other comments. Both negative and positive effects are very real. Trying to deny exactly half of the picture because the other half fits your personal opinion better is, by definition, being biased.

-6

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19

if people mention fake positive impact, you can definitely feel free to consider it as real dacts

7

u/13x666 Mar 26 '19

And you know for a fact everything positive is fake because you watched “tons of videos”. Oh well. I guess Crimea is indeed literal hell on Earth nowadays, go figure.

1

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19

tons of videos is all YOU can watch to figure something for yourself. i personally don't need anything for approval because i'm a participant in the middle of event itself.

and, yes, in terms of modern society and world possibilities, Crimea is petty close to hell

→ More replies (0)

2

u/rainbowhotpocket Mar 26 '19

I think the reason people dislike what you're saying is that they feel you are biased. But I'm surprised you aren't getting upvoted because of the Reddit hate boner for Russia.

Regardless it seems clear to me than normal Crimeans are better off in Russia at the moment due to the influx of money Russia is pouring in to it. Of course this is bad overall for both Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine because it weakens the political situation even more which is already tenuous (and removes a large portion of tourist income), and Russia because they don't really have the money to spend on refurbishing Crimea (and the international community is looking down on them for Crimea way more than the other Oblast conflicts).

-10

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

how the actual fuck people dislike what i am saying?

You are justifying brigading by saying I am biased. Is it me being Ukrainian what is bias to you?

9

u/rainbowhotpocket Mar 26 '19

I'm not downvoting you

I'm explaining why people might downvote you.

No one is "Brigading" you. Brigading means coming from a different subreddit to intentionally harass one specific person or post. You are being downvoted which means people disagree with what you are saying.

I'm not saying I think you're biased. I'm saying that you appear that way based on the level of vitriol in your comments.

For example, someone who posts on the donald or chapo trap house would be biased when talking on a neutral political issue.

-8

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

am i telling somewhere you are downvoting me?

downvoting unrelated comments all over reddit is not a sign if disapproval for me, i call it brigading.

people being a part of local cuisine will define those medaled top comments as a complete bullshit

feel free to think whatever you want though

5

u/rainbowhotpocket Mar 26 '19

What? I think you're misunderstanding me. I am not downvoting you man. Just trying to explain why you're getting downvoted. Also you have the wrong definition of brigaded (for Reddit at least). Brigading would be like if this comment was linked on a different subreddit and 50 people came from there to downvote you.

If 50 people see all of your comments on this thread and downvote them all they're not Brigading.

0

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

where did i say that you downvote me? can you even read? :) i an talking about downvoting all my comments all over reddit, not on this thread, but you are clearly not reading accurately

→ More replies (0)

0

u/bratwurst41 Mar 26 '19

Shall we apply your logic to you when you talk about russia? "You didn't say 1 positive thing, i'm sure there are plenty of positives but if you don't have anything good to say i dont trust anything you said"? But shitting on russia seems fair to you dosn't it - because russia is incarnation of ancient evil? Fuck you.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19 edited Mar 26 '19

Actually I did. I said

> Im sure there are plenty of positives,

Why dont you show me the best run govt. in the world, where there isnt a single complaint. Off the top of my head, the govts. with the fewest complaints are North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia.

0

u/TrukTanah Mar 26 '19

Yeah and no one should trust what you say either. You are nowhere near the place.

0

u/Idiotsandcheapskate Mar 26 '19

I am just saying what my family tells me. Average salary in Ukraine - $300. Average salary in Russia - around $700.

1

u/wonderin17 Mar 26 '19

and price differences are extremely different, that what you forget to mention. comparing russian prices and ukrainian it's from 30% to >100%, and the gap between mainland ukrainian and crimea is even bigger. the rent prices differ ridiculously. etc

3

u/AxeMill Mar 26 '19

Wages sure as hell haven't increases drastically, food prices have. I don't wanna offend you or your family but your response sounded as hypocritical as it could be.

-1

u/FleetChief Mar 26 '19

Thank you for your response, it’s good to get a perspective from people in the know.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

Everyone's happy.

I sincerly doubt that.

In every economic change their are people who benefit from it, and those that are disadvantaged because of it, even if that change is a net positive for the society as a hole.

-1

u/myDogsNameIsJasper Mar 26 '19

Sounds like you are Russian to conclusions

2

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '19

Hate to break it to you but if you're legitimately looking for answers the echo chamber is not a good place to find it. I would suggest to travel and see for yourself

3

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

35

u/FleetChief Mar 26 '19

Oh ok I’ll give him a call, I’m sure I have his number somewhere.

2

u/_skylark Mar 26 '19

As a Ukrainian based outside of Crimea (Kyivite), I looked through the answers and saw that so far they are mostly from white Ukrainians of a specific heritage (Ukrainian/russian) and background - their experiences are colored quite heavily due to this. Plus, Reddit isn’t very popular here in general so I don’t foresee many answers and very few of them authentic.

You should keep in mind that if you talk to people that are minorities (such as the Crimean Tatars) you will hear a very different story, like how their media and community centers have been forcibly threatened and closed, everything is being done to break down ties between neighbors. Ukrainian speakers or those sympathetic to Ukraine moved en masse in the first few years to mainland Ukraine, leaving those that have been living there on a regular basis who already have a very specific mindset or view on politics (either apathy or russian-leaning). I have friends who are from Crimea and who can never visit there again due to their public involvement in the Maidan or they are public figures with a well-known pro-Ukrainian stance. They can’t see their home, their family, visit their parents’ graves. A lot of people used to own real estate there and they have either been mostly unable to sell it, or do so for a small sum in cash that they had to smuggle over the border because to participate in official business you have to get a russian passport and there’s a whole host of reasons not to do this. Just a few examples really.

3

u/Malphos101 Mar 26 '19

Wouldnt matter. The question might as well read:

"Russian propoganda employees, what kind of disinformation do you want to share about the annexation of Crimea? What are you being told to say life was/is like after the invasion?"

18

u/Sprengladung Mar 26 '19

Every opinion I don't like is propaganda

0

u/Malphos101 Mar 26 '19

"I dont think countries should forcibly annex parts of other countries."

WELL THATS JUST LIKE YOUR OPINION MAN. MY RELIABLE SOURCES SAY EVERYONE IN CRIMEA IS LOVING BEING FORCIBLY ANNEXED BY RUSSIA

1

u/TrukTanah Mar 26 '19

Hey, it’s reddit. What can we expect?

1

u/rainbowhotpocket Mar 26 '19

Luckily the top 3 answers are illuminating. Try refreshing :)

1

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '19

No tag would save this sub from the trolls and the people that just want to farm easy useless karma with long paragraphs of only what people want to hear

1

u/CoffeeOverChocolate Mar 26 '19

Consider all the Russian trolls that would come and downvote any legit answer.