Not Possible For Sociologists To Investigate Occupied Territories — Sociologist

It might take another 20 years before Ukraine could take back Crimea, said Olga Dukhnich, a former professor of sociology from Torik University in Simferopol . Dukhnich left Crimea after Russia annexed the peninsula in March 2014 and now writes articles from Kyiv on the social situation in the peninsula.

With Crimea under Russian control, it will be extremely hard for sociologists like Dukhnich to conduct research because people are afraid of criticizing the current regime or Russia. Dukhnich also expressed concerns about the social development of Crimean society. Neighbors are increasingly encouraged to denounce regime critics and consequently people are becoming very closed, she said.

Hromadske International's Ian Bateson and Angelina Kariakina spoke with Olga Dukhnich on Sunday, March 22, 2015.