Pussy Riot Members Olya Borisova and Sasha Sofeev Found Safe After Vanishing in Crimea

Since the arrival of Borisova and Sofeev in Crimea, they had been repeatedly involved in incidents with the Russian Federal Security Service. According to their Twitter account, the two members were arrested they set foot in the country and detained by the FSB on the 25th of February but released later the same day, thanks to the onslaught of online discourse which put pressure on the police force.

two pussy riot members Olya Borisova and Sasha Sofeev have just been detained in Crimea. they're now being held at the local FSB department.

they were arrested at the very first second they stepped on the land of Crimea. https://t.co/zbKgnBaGVP

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 25, 2018

In an encounter with the FSB yesterday, the phones and computers of Borisova and Sofeev were broken beyond use and resulted in a complete loss of contact for the two. On the 27th of February, they were then stated to be missing - “we don’t know what happened to them”.

Two Pussy Riot members are missing. Olya Borisova & Sasha Sofeev disappeared in Crimea yesterday.

FSB detained them several times. Yesterday cops broke their phones and computers. We can not reach out to them.

We don't know what has happened to them. pic.twitter.com/6pRtgCIbi3

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018

Fans on social media reached out to the account, asking what could be done to help spread the word and possibly reestablish contact with them. Previously, pressure on the police force from social media helped the release of Pussy Riot members.

The tweet was also sent out on the Russian media account ‘@mediazzzona’.

UPDATE AT 15:10 GMT, 27th February

It was confirmed via Twitter that both members have been located and are safe, despite being detained numerous times.

we found Sasha and Olya. they were detained several times but safe now.

thank you for your help!!

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018