{"id":2035,"date":"2023-08-31T13:33:52","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T11:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dovidka.info\/informations\/yak-povodytysya-na-okupovanij-terytoriyi\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T08:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T06:28:10","slug":"yak-povodytysya-na-okupovanij-terytoriyi","status":"publish","type":"informations","link":"https:\/\/dovidka.info\/en\/yak-povodytysya-na-okupovanij-terytoriyi\/","title":{"rendered":"Acting in occupied territory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Occupation means that a country, or part of it, has been seized by the armed forces of another state. During occupation, the territory is under the control of the enemy, whose representatives seek to establish themselves as the official authority \u2014 attempting to gain the support and trust of the local population while keeping it uninformed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Occupation is usually accompanied by intensive propaganda, incitement to betrayal and violence against fellow citizens, widespread repression of civilians, and an increase in crime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ukraine is steadfastly defending its land, no matter how formidable the opponent may seem, and is fighting back against the occupiers along the entire front line. Even if the state temporarily loses control over part of its territory, Ukrainian citizens continue to carry out organized resistance in those areas.<\/b><\/p>\n

Prepare to be self-sufficient for an extended period in case of disruptions to essential services or reduced access to goods. <\/span>If possible, stock up on water, food, and other necessities.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Below is a list of recommendations to help you maintain a reasonable level of safety and be prepared for potential threats or provocations.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Find out who will give you first aid during the occupation: hospital, ambulance, rescue service, etc.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Collaborate with other people in the occupied territories you can trust to do better together. If you have the opportunity \u2013 help those who need it. Take care of people with disabilities, women with children, the elderly who need support.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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If you have to move around, do so on foot or by bike, and, if possible, only when it is light.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Avoid places that may be mined, such as abandoned buildings and bridges.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Do not touch abandoned weapons, munitions, or any unidentified object, as they may be masked explosive devices or otherwise dangerous. Instruct children carefully not to touch lost toys and attractive things.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Avoid contact with soldiers of the occupation forces and do not put your life at risk with provocative behavior (for example, public filming or taking photos, aiming with a weapon-like object, showing public resistance).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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By protecting yourself, do not cause harm to other people suffering from the occupation forces.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Do not trust the information in the media that the occupier will broadcast; this is propaganda aimed at misinforming and intimidating you. Instead, make sure you have access to verified sources of information and\u00a0find out the real news about the situation in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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When family members are separated from each other during an armed conflict, inform humanitarian organizations (such as the Red Cross) who help people find information and reunite families. Share this information with those in a similar situation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Be prepared for the fact that the fighting may take a long time. So take care to organize protection for yourself and your loved ones.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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\n Worth knowing <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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It is possible to help end the occupation without violence through organized and systematic resistance of the enemy. To make your business effective, follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Do not cooperate with the occupying forces: do not share information with them or participate in public gatherings or events organized by the occupier.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Remember that humanitarian aid from Russia is part of a hybrid information operation. In this way, they want to show the world a positive picture that is not true.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Do not allow yourself to be used as additional labor in constructing defense facilities, etc.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Follow Ukrainian laws, not the rules set by the occupying power. Act on universal values and practices.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Do not let yourself be provoked by violence<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Record violations of human rights and constitutional values. But do it only if it is safe! Secretly record violations and share evidence with the Ukrainian and international community.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Help victims of violence.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Do not give interviews to representatives of the occupation power. Do not allow yourself to be filmed or taken photos of.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Collaborate with other community members and contribute to the continuation of civic initiatives.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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\n Civil resistance in the occupied territories <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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Even if your city or village is in the occupied territory, every citizen can contribute to the resistance \u2013 both as a part of the underground partisan forces, and as an auxiliary component. Simple, and most importantly, safe actions, multiplied by thousands of citizens who carry them out, turn into a powerful weapon and a tangible obstacle to the work of the occupiers.<\/p>\n

The Special Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have developed a practical guide on how to resist the occupiers,\u00a0which can be downloaded from the link<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\n What to Do If You Are Stopped by Occupying Forces <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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What to do if you are stopped by occupying forces?<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Stay calm<\/b>, do not argue, and do not make sudden movements. If asked to show the contents of your pockets or bag, slowly present your belongings. Keep your hands visible at all times.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do not voluntarily enter premises where occupying forces are stationed, and try not to be left alone with them.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. During any interaction with occupying forces, try to have witnesses nearby \u2014 they may observe that you are being detained and can inform your relatives if the situation deteriorates.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. If you anticipate an encounter with occupying forces, inform someone you trust in advance via a call or SMS.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How not to raise suspicion?<\/b><\/p>\n

    To reduce the risk of detention, do not carry items that contain any data related to occupying forces, individuals collaborating with them, enterprises, or infrastructure facilities (roads, railway stations, bridges) \u2014 this may be interpreted as intelligence gathering. Do not carry any campaign materials, pro-Ukrainian literature, or instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What phone content does not raise suspicion?<\/b><\/p>\n

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    1. If it contains: photographs of everyday life, leisure, neutral conversations with friends.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. A completely empty phone looks suspicious, as though you have something to hide.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Save important contacts under fictional but realistic names; delete unnecessary ones.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Do not publish information on social media that may be disliked by occupying forces.Delete from browser history any information about visiting Ukrainian resources.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Dangerous information that should not be stored on your phone and must be deleted immediately:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n