Crimea was not left aside during the Euromaidan events. The first street gatherings of supporters and opponents of European integration began on November 22, 2013. By November 24, the first major rally, “I Choose the EU!”, was held in Simferopol, leading to the formation of the civic movement Euromaidan-Crimea. The coordinators included Ismail Ismailov, Serhii Mokreniuk, Serhii Kovalskyi, and Andrii Shchekun.
Pro-European rallies took place in all major cities of Crimea: Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yevpatoriia, Kerch, and Yalta.
“The first rally demonstrated that we were far more numerous than we could have imagined, even though the entire state and local apparatus, along with pro-Russian forces funded from abroad, worked systematically and organizedly against us. At that time, I believe Crimea had its own dignified face of resistance to the dictatorship regime, which later became resistance to the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. We showed the world that Crimea is Ukraine. We fought daily for a Ukrainian Crimea, and even today, during the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, this resistance movement continues. The entire team of the ‘Euromaidan-Crimea’ movement carries out civic, voluntary, and military activities in the fight for the peninsula’s liberation. And this will happen…” Andrii Shchekun, one of the organizers of the Crimean Euromaidan rallies, and member of the NGO “Crimean Center for Business and Cultural Cooperation ‘Ukrainian House.'”
On December 10, 2013, International Human Rights Day, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People organized a mass rally in Simferopol. Over 1,500 people gathered to show their support for Ukraine’s European course. Under slogans like “Ukraine is Europe,” “Down with the Gang!,” and “Vatan! Millet! Mejlis!” (“Homeland! Nation! Mejlis!”), they expressed solidarity with Kyiv’s Euromaidan.
“The Crimean Tatars shouted ‘Allahu Akbar!’ while Ukrainians shouted ‘Ukraine above all!’ We stood together in difficult times, defending our country from the enemy who invaded our peaceful lives,” recalled Metropolitan Klyment of Simferopol and Crimea.
The Crimean Tatars, with their long history of struggle for rights and liberties, became one of the driving forces of the protest movement on the peninsula. The Mejlis not only acted as a representative body but also as an active participant in the broader Ukrainian process of European integration, emphasizing shared values and aspirations for democratic transformation.
In early 2014, recognizing the need to unite efforts, Crimean activists decided to consolidate their actions. On January 10, a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Headquarters for National Resistance was held in Simferopol, where it was decided to establish the Crimean branch of the All-Ukrainian Association “Maidan.” This association became a platform for coordinating protest activities, sharing information, and planning joint actions.
On January 17, Euromaidan-Crimea appealed to the citizens of Ukraine and international organizations such as the UN and OSCE. In their statement, the activists highlighted the dangers posed by the “dictatorial laws” adopted on January 16, which severely restricted civil freedoms and rights. They emphasized the urgency of immediate action and called on citizens across the country to join mass protests in Kyiv against the usurpation of power and violations of democratic norms, underscoring the escalating political persecution in Crimea.
On January 21, a pro-government movement, Stop Maidan, was formed in Crimea with the aim of countering protest sentiments. On the same day, a clash occurred in Lenin Square in Simferopol between Euromaidan-Crimea activists and supporters of the Russian Unity party. Tensions in society were rising, and the scale of conflicts was growing.
At the same time, an initiative group of entrepreneurs and businesspeople established the Crimea Without Dictatorship movement. They urged Crimeans not to succumb to pro-Russian statements and actions by local authorities, highlighting the dangers of dividing the country and losing democratic achievements. This movement became an important voice of reason and pragmatism, particularly among the economically active population of the peninsula.
“Crimea in 2013-2014 was no different from other regions of Ukraine. We also held protest rallies under the slogans of Euromaidan, protests against Yanukovych and his lawlessness. Feodosiia, Kerch, Dzhankoi, Armyansk, Sevastopol, Yalta, Simferopol—there were many demonstrations. At that time, we felt support from certain individuals, including those in positions of power, the police, and the prosecutor’s office. But at the same time, there was tremendous pressure and aggression. We understood it was coordinated from a single center, and that center was Russian. There were beatings, cars were shot at, tires were slashed, exhaust pipes were filled with foam, and identical leaflets were posted in all towns where 15-20 activists lived. From November 2013, we held daily rallies. At 7:00 PM, people would gather, knowing a rally would take place—we created a sort of platform for this. That was when I realized how many like-minded people we had in Crimea,” said Serhii Mokreniuk, activist, protest organizer in Crimea, and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The events of February 2014 became a turning point for Crimea. The Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in an address to the President of Ukraine, referred to the events of February 18 in Kyiv as the “beginning of a civil war.” In response, supporters of the Maidan movement announced a mobilization to travel to Kyiv, aiming to support the protesters in the capital.
Meanwhile, in Yalta, more than 50 activists organized a solidarity rally in support of Euromaidan, demonstrating that in every city in Crimea, people were ready to stand up for their views and beliefs.
On February 20, 2014, the armed forces of the Russian Federation crossed Ukraine’s state border via the Kerch Strait, effectively beginning a military aggression.
Despite this, Crimeans continued to fight for a European future. In the village of Pryvitne near Alushta, local residents toppled and shattered a statue of Lenin, symbolically rejecting the Soviet past. In Yalta, Yevpatoriia, and Simferopol, pro-Ukrainian activists honored the memory of those who died in Kyiv’s protests, holding memorial events and lighting candles.
On February 23, a large rally of Crimean Tatars took place to commemorate Noman Çelebicihan—the first Mufti of Crimea and leader of the Crimean Tatar national movement. This gathering became a symbol of unity and resistance. The following day, on February 24, a Lenin monument was taken down in the village of Zuia, continuing the wave of “Leninopad” (Leninfall) sweeping across the country and marking the start of Ukraine’s decommunization process.
On February 26, 2014, thousands of Crimeans gathered outside the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Simferopol. Pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists stood on opposite sides of the barricades, defending their visions for the peninsula’s future. The goal of the pro-Ukrainian demonstrators was to prevent the discussion of a supposed “secession of Crimea from Ukraine.” Thanks to their efforts, the extraordinary parliamentary session planned to address this issue was canceled. This event symbolized the start of a peaceful resistance to the occupation. It demonstrated Crimeans’ commitment to their country’s future, their determination to preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and their readiness to fight for their rights. This date became iconic, and in 2020, it was officially designated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decree as the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.
However, by February 27, armed men without insignia—later identified as Russian military personnel and dubbed “little green men”—seized the buildings of the Verkhovna Rada and the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Russian flags were raised over government institutions. The occupation of Crimea marked the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Despite pressure, intimidation, and outright aggression, many Crimean residents continued to resist. They formed underground groups, disseminated truthful information about events on the peninsula, and sought to inform the global community about the reality of the situation in Crimea. Their courage and unwavering spirit became an inspiration for many Ukrainians and a symbol of resistance to the occupation.
These events have already proven that Crimea is home to people who are not only capable of fighting for their rights but also defending the independence and territorial integrity of their country. The events of that time represented a small but significant victory, one that brought hope and sent a message to all of Ukraine and the world: Crimea is Ukraine, and its residents are ready to fight for their land, for democratic values, and for a future in a free, European country. We remember this today, and we continue to fight — Crimea remains an integral part of Ukraine. The day will come soon when the Ukrainian flag will once again fly proudly over a free peninsula.