Dear representatives of the colonized peoples of Russia! I am addressing you as a serviceman and commander of the Crimea Special Forces, as someone who sees the consequences of Russian aggression every day. We are fighting against the colonizing state not only for our freedom but also for your peoples to have freedom. In this war, you have become a tool in the hands of the Russian authorities, you are being thrown to the front as cannon fodder, without counting your lives, without regard for your families and the well-being of your peoples. The Kremlin's dictatorial policy is aimed at your destruction - both physical and mental. They seek to destroy your identity, your culture, your history. 

Let me draw historical parallels. Think of the fate of nations fighting for their freedom. For example, Ukrainians have been fighting for centuries for the right to their own statehood. Holodomors, repressions, and now the Russian-Ukrainian war. These are all attempts to destroy Ukrainians as a nation. The Crimean Tatar people, of which I am a part of, are also suffering from Russian aggression. For several centuries now, the enemies have been destroying our culture, our intelligentsia, and everything associated with our people. Our people have survived genocide and expulsion from our homeland. Russia tried to erase even the memory of the Crimean Tatars, but we survived and preserved our culture, our identity, and our language. And now we continue to defend our independence, our right to live freely on our land.

Another example is the Baltic nations, which experienced Soviet occupation but did not lose their dream of freedom; they regained their independence after decades of occupation. And today they live as free democratic nations.

Understand that Ukraine is not your enemy. We are fighting for our right to freedom and independence, and we also understand your pain and your desire for independence and freedom. I am sure you want to be reborn as an independent nation, to preserve your language, culture, traditions, and yourselves. Today, the Russian Federation continues to destroy the national identities of the peoples living in this territory. Remember the fate of the Chechen people. Two wars in Chechnya led to massacres, destruction of infrastructure and cities, and forced assimilation. The Russian regime sought to destroy not only the armed resistance but also the very idea of Chechen independence.

The cultural and religious traditions of other peoples of the North Caucasus are being systematically destroyed. The Russian administration puts pressure on local communities by restricting the study of their native language, closing national schools, and persecuting activists who fight to preserve their culture. The same is happening to the Tatar people in Tatarstan. The study of the Tatar language in schools is limited, and activists are repressed and imprisoned. Russia seeks to destroy the national identity of the Tatar people.

Every day, Russia spends huge amounts of money on shelling peaceful Ukrainian cities. 

In early January, a massive attack using missiles and drones cost the Russian budget $620 million, or at least 55 billion rubles. For comparison, in 2024, the Russian budget allocates just over 11 billion rubles to help the indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation, in particular, Ingushetia, and just over 19 billion rubles to Tuva. The money that the dictatorial regime spent on shelling and killing should have been used to develop the peoples whose lands still belong to the Russian state, to improve their lives, and to preserve their culture and language. Instead, the Russian regime and their accomplices have chosen the path of destruction and annihilation. 

Only on the path of freedom can you be reborn and succeed. Your history is rich in heroic examples that demonstrate your strength and will to freedom. Together we can stop the aggressor and colonizer who seeks to enslave us all. Your fight for freedom is our fight. Together we can change the situation and give a future to our children. Protect your identity, your roots, your people! Your strength is in unity and determination! We believe in your will for freedom and are ready to support you in this struggle!

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