20 February 2014 became a significant day when Russia began the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. It happened without declaring war and in violation of international norms and key rules of coexistence of civilised nations.

Over 12 years, Russia has not merely occupied the peninsula and held an illegal “referendum”, but has created a whole system of repression in Crimea, manifested in illegal searches, detentions, and persecution based on fabricated cases, from which local residents suffer daily. As of February 2026, 284 individuals are subject to a policy of judicial persecution on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, 159 of whom are Crimean Tatars.

Throughout the 12 years of the temporary occupation of Crimea, Russian propaganda has been spreading myths, particularly regarding the alleged absence of resistance. In reality, on 26 February 2014, thousands of people — Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians, and representatives of other nationalities — gathered outside the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. They demonstrated in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and against the holding of an extraordinary session of the Crimean parliament, which pro-Russian activists had demanded be convened the day before, on 25 February. The latter demanded that the issue of holding a so-called “referendum on the independence of Crimea” be considered. Thanks to the rally of thousands of citizens, the extraordinary session of the parliament did not take place.

This resistance continues to this day, albeit under conditions of occupation, constant pressure, and repression. Residents of Crimea continue to demonstrate their disagreement with the Russian authorities in various forms: they preserve their Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar identity, distribute pro-Ukrainian symbols and leaflets, document human rights violations, support political prisoners, and transmit information about the situation on the peninsula to the outside world. Despite the risk of persecution, searches, and arrests, Crimeans do not cease their silent but consistent resistance to the occupation.

Read more about the resistance of Crimean residents, the debunking of Russian myths about the Crimean Peninsula, and key communication messages in our brief: https://ppu.gov.ua/crimea2026/.