Today, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. It was with the occupation of Crimea in 2014 that Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine began. This day has become a symbol of the peninsula’s residents’ courage, unity, and bravery.

On February 26, 2014, thousands of people gathered near the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, advocating for the preservation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and opposing an extraordinary session of the Crimean parliament that pro-Russian activists sought to convene on February 25, 2014. Russia attempted to bring the issue of holding a so-called “referendum on the independence of Crimea” to the session, but thanks to the thousands-strong rally, the extraordinary session of the parliament was prevented.

The very next day, the RF shifted to an open military phase of seizing the peninsula. Armed soldiers without insignia captured administrative buildings and began blockading Ukrainian military units and strategic facilities. Thus began the temporary occupation of Crimea, which has now lasted for 12 years.

During this time, Crimea has become a territory of systematic human rights violations, political persecution, oppression of Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian activists, militarization, and Russification. Despite this, the resistance continues—in various forms, often unseen, but daily and courageous.

February 26 is a reminder that Crimea was and remains a part of Ukraine. The struggle for its de-occupation continues, and the return of the peninsula is a matter of justice, security, and the restoration of international law.