Tatars seek safety in Western Ukraine
- 10 years ago
They are fleeing Crimea and seeking safety in Western Ukraine.
While Crimea's Tatars are considering their own referendum on whether to be part of Ukraine or Russia, some Tatars, deeply suspicious of Russian rule, are taking no chances.
Memories run deep for Tatars whose ancestors faced mass deportation by Soviet authorities in 1944.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CRIMEAN TATAR, RUSLAN MINAKOV, SAYING:
"It is not safe to stay in Crimea at the moment. Why? Everybody have their own reasons. For Crimean Tatars it is their 'genetic memory' and lack of any trust for what Kremlin is saying. You yourself see that the agreements are not honored and whatever has been promised verbally cannot be trusted. So the majority of the Crimean Tatars feel very scared right now."
Along with the fear comes the welcome.
A teacher says Crimean children can find safety and comfort in Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) DAY CARE CENTER DIRECTOR, BOGDANA ZUBRITSKAYA, SAYING:
While Crimea's Tatars are considering their own referendum on whether to be part of Ukraine or Russia, some Tatars, deeply suspicious of Russian rule, are taking no chances.
Memories run deep for Tatars whose ancestors faced mass deportation by Soviet authorities in 1944.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CRIMEAN TATAR, RUSLAN MINAKOV, SAYING:
"It is not safe to stay in Crimea at the moment. Why? Everybody have their own reasons. For Crimean Tatars it is their 'genetic memory' and lack of any trust for what Kremlin is saying. You yourself see that the agreements are not honored and whatever has been promised verbally cannot be trusted. So the majority of the Crimean Tatars feel very scared right now."
Along with the fear comes the welcome.
A teacher says Crimean children can find safety and comfort in Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) DAY CARE CENTER DIRECTOR, BOGDANA ZUBRITSKAYA, SAYING: