Ahead of January 20, to avoid potential miscommunication in the public domain, the Mission has prepared an informational brief addressing this question. Link: https://ppu.gov.ua/documents/den-ar-krym/

Key Points:

1. The roots of “Crimea Autonomous Republic Day” date back to Soviet times, specifically January 20, 1991, when a referendum was held on restoring the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. This referendum was initiated by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in Moscow, aimed at maintaining Russian influence in the region, ensuring the continued presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, and, most importantly, keeping both Ukraine and Crimea under its control.
2. This day has since been exploited by the Russian occupation administration as part of its propaganda machine. Following the occupation, in December 2014, the date was officially designated by the occupiers as the “Day of the Republic of Crimea.” They refer to the 1991 referendum as the first step toward “reuniting Crimea with Russia,” linking it to the illegal “referendum” of 2014.
3. On this day, the occupiers hold mass celebrations, official events, conferences, and informational campaigns promoting the narrative of “reunification with Russia.”

Instead, January 20 should serve as a day to honor the defenders of Donetsk Airport and the heroism of the soldiers, volunteers, and medics who valiantly protected the airport from Russian occupiers.