( CNN ) How can I describe life in Crimea after a year under Russia 's control ? You start saying things like `` Let 's not talk about this on the phone '' and become careful about the Facebook pages you `` like . '' Because total surveillance and control has become routine -- like it was in the Soviet Union . In just one year so much has been lost and many Crimeans seem to have forgotten rights that were part of everyone 's life . There is a growing level of censorship , inequality and political repression of those who do n't agree with the government . In everyday communication , Crimeans , including those who support Putin and Russia , have to think about what they do and say . Thanks to the activities of the FSB ( Russia 's secret police ) denunciation -- where a citizen tells the authorities about the wrongdoing of another -- is popular again . In the Soviet Union , especially in the late 1930s , denunciations written by Soviet citizens about their neighbors , friends and even relatives resulted in millions of victims in prisons and Gulag camps . Now in Crimea , no one feels safe . Anyone who does n't like you can write a denunciation and the next day you will take part in a `` joyful '' conversation with the security services . Significant changes have also taking place in the most basic of rights , like freedom of movement . Now , there are two borders manned by armed -- and sometimes angry -- men who always have questions about where you are going and why you want to pass . For ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars , things have been very difficult and thousands fled to mainland Ukraine in the first months after annexation . Their fears were confirmed when Ukrainian activists and young Tatars began to disappear . Some were later found dead , others are still missing . Ukrainian patriots also left in the first month or two after occupation -- it would have been dangerous and uncomfortable to continue living on the peninsula . The next wave of migrants were those who hoped to adjust to the new rules , but could not . They started leaving when it became clear that things would get worse economically and politically . They have been replaced by a new set of arrivals from Russia : Officials , police , FSB and other authorities . After annexation , many who had worked for the Ukrainian government in the police , army and security services swapped allegiances to the Russian side . The Kremlin was happy to have them but has put special stamps the new recruit 's personal files , which say they are `` inclined to betrayal . '' One of the main arguments of pro-Russian locals is that the average salary in Russia is much higher . Indeed , since annexation , salaries have increased , especially in the public institutions like hospitals and schools . The salary increases caused a kind of post-referendum euphoria , which quickly fizzled in late 2014 when a strong dollar meant higher prices for everything from food to gadgets . Then wages were cut again , by anywhere from 30 % to 70 % depending on the industry . Many doctors and teachers were greatly dissatisfied with wage cuts , but no one protested because in Russia , you must obtain permission for a public assembly . Of course , permission is mostly given to people or organizations loyal to the Kremlin . Tourism , a formerly dependable income source for many Crimeans , has been hit very hard . More than half of all tourists who used to visit Crimea in the summer were Ukrainian and last year tourism was down by 50 % . Last summer , the peninsula was empty and many hotel owners had almost no customers . Despite of the deteriorating economic and human rights situation , many of those who were for the annexation of Crimea continue to support Russia . As strange as it may sound , the harder life becomes here in Crimea , the more people support Putin and hate Ukraine . In a little over a year , the Russian propaganda machine has turned Ukraine from `` brother state '' to Russia 's main enemy . For some Crimeans 2014 was a year of tragedy and farewell to their homeland . Others saw a dream realized . What things will look like in another year is unclear , but what is clear is that nothing will be the same again .
Life under total surveillance and control now the norm in Crimea , says writer . Score: 6