Blog post by Levko Stek, Radio Svoboda journalist

Representative of the so-called self-defense in Crimea.

It is almost summertime in Bakhchisarai. A bright sunny day, around 16:00. At the bus station, yet another minibus to Simferopol is preparing to depart. There are approximately 20 passengers in the cabin. I am finishing my Snickers chocolate bar while editing, in my mind, the news story about Ukrainian soldiers who refused to ‘surrender’ to officers of the Russian Black Sea fleet in exchange for money and guarantees for a prosperous future. The journey has passed without any conflicts. A man in a black jacket, who constantly keeps talking on his phone, occasionally catches my attention. It is not surprising that you start noticing these small things when reports of kidnapped and beaten journalists keep flooding in. Fortunately, in my case, it hasn’t happened.

Three people enter the cabin. They look tense; perhaps they…