YALTA (Crimea) (Sputnik) — The energy blockade and a water outage in the Russian peninsula of Crimea borders on crimes against humanity whose masterminds are "incredible idiots," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
"As for the termination of the water supply or moves related to the blackout, all this verges on a crime against humanity: taking a sufficiently large region with 2.6 million residents and disconnecting them from the power supply in winter," Putin said.
Speaking at the All-Russia People's Front "Forum of Action. Crimea" event, Putin expressed surprise with the lack of outrage among human rights organizations and lauded the local population for its "courage, self-discipline, willingness to fight for their interests."
"But for those who did it, it is so stupid. What did they expect? I simply do not understand: for them all to get on their knees and ask for handouts? Surprisingly simple. Incredible idiots," he stressed.