Ukrainian Woman Marina Riff Missing for Five Months After Visit to Migration Service in Crimea

Marina Riff, a Ukrainian citizen, disappeared after visiting a migration office in Simferopol on November 12, 2025. She had gone to the office because she did not possess an illegal Russian passport and was living solely on Ukrainian documents. Since that visit, her family has lost all contact with her and remains unaware of her whereabouts.

According to information obtained by the CTHRG, the occupation's 'Kyiv District Court' in Simferopol, presided over by Judge Yevhen Pronin, sentenced Riff to 14 days of administrative detention for allegedly 'demonstrating extremist symbols' and 'discrediting the Russian army.' Despite this ruling, her family has received no information regarding her fate or where she is being held. They suspect that Marina may be detained in one of the detention centers in Simferopol.

Human rights advocates see political motives behind the persecution of Marina Riff, as she openly supports Ukraine, having consciously refused to obtain a Russian passport and continuing to reside in her native Crimea despite ongoing pressure and threats from the occupying authorities.

The CTHRG also reminded that monitoring results conducted throughout 2025 confirm an increasing trend of politically motivated persecution of women in Crimea. Currently, at least 64 women from Crimea, as well as from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, are being held in places of detention within Crimea and Russia.

During 2025, sentences were handed down in politically motivated cases involving at least 13 women from Crimea. As reported by Ukrinform, over 50 women have passed through the Crimean detention centers, most of whom have become victims of persecution based on national, political, or religious grounds. The number of 'women's cases' has sharply increased since 2022, indicating systematic violations of women's rights in the region.

This situation has raised serious concerns among human rights defenders and the international community, who are calling for an urgent investigation into the case of Marina Riff and other women who have fallen victim to political repression in occupied Crimea. They demand that the occupying authorities ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their political stance.

We urge all concerned individuals to join our channels on Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube to stay updated on the latest news and events occurring in Ukraine and Crimea.