The People of Crimea
Anatoly, 79, Yalta
"I was forced to flee Luhansk, Ukraine, because they shelled my home. I've been staying with a friend in Yalta for several months. Yes, I am a Cossack. Yes, I am sad."
"I was forced to flee Luhansk, Ukraine, because they shelled my home. I've been staying with a friend in Yalta for several months. Yes, I am a Cossack. Yes, I am sad."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Rustem, 67, Simferopol
"This is not a saxophone. This is my heart and lungs. I have major health problems but when I play music outside, I feel better instantly.
Generally, saxophone players retire early, but I am a Tatar, with a tough shell, so I'm not planning to let go of my instrument anytime soon!"
"This is not a saxophone. This is my heart and lungs. I have major health problems but when I play music outside, I feel better instantly.
Generally, saxophone players retire early, but I am a Tatar, with a tough shell, so I'm not planning to let go of my instrument anytime soon!"
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Vera, 45, Sevastopol
"This is Semyon. We first named him Tyson because he has the character of a fighter, he's dark and active. But when you're chasing your dog down the street yelling: 'Tyson, Tyson!' you get rather strange looks. That's why we've given him a more common name. It has nothing to do with [U.S.] sanctions."
"This is Semyon. We first named him Tyson because he has the character of a fighter, he's dark and active. But when you're chasing your dog down the street yelling: 'Tyson, Tyson!' you get rather strange looks. That's why we've given him a more common name. It has nothing to do with [U.S.] sanctions."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Misha, 19, Alushta
"I've been doing parkour for five years. In the whole of Alushta there's only three of us. When I'm training outside or on the beach, people often tell me off and tell me I'm trying to attract attention. That's how bad I am."
"I've been doing parkour for five years. In the whole of Alushta there's only three of us. When I'm training outside or on the beach, people often tell me off and tell me I'm trying to attract attention. That's how bad I am."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Rinat, 47, Simferopol
"I have four children — all of them girls. Now my wife is pregnant again and tells me that if we don't have a son this time around, I should start looking for a second wife. She's serious."
"I have four children — all of them girls. Now my wife is pregnant again and tells me that if we don't have a son this time around, I should start looking for a second wife. She's serious."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Konstantin, 12, Yalta
"My dream is to be an actor in the theater. I often participate in public poetry recitals, I want to go to Moscow and compete in some kind of tournament, but I haven't made it so far. In Russia there are so many talented children and it's hard to compete. Shall I recite some [poetry by Alexander] Pushkin for you?"
"My dream is to be an actor in the theater. I often participate in public poetry recitals, I want to go to Moscow and compete in some kind of tournament, but I haven't made it so far. In Russia there are so many talented children and it's hard to compete. Shall I recite some [poetry by Alexander] Pushkin for you?"
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Rafael, 25, Sevastopol
"I am a chemistry teacher and a photographer at the same time. But you can also just describe me as handsome and modest."
"I am a chemistry teacher and a photographer at the same time. But you can also just describe me as handsome and modest."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Olga, 50, Yalta
"I have played the violin for as long as I can remember. And I can think back about 27 years. Next up is a tango piece, sit down, have a listen."
"I have played the violin for as long as I can remember. And I can think back about 27 years. Next up is a tango piece, sit down, have a listen."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT
Yulia, 19, Yalta
"Yes, we all wear these same outfits, like in medieval Rus. I don't think I would attract the same attention if I sold candy wearing jeans."
"Yes, we all wear these same outfits, like in medieval Rus. I don't think I would attract the same attention if I sold candy wearing jeans."
Inna Kiyasova / For MT