We continue to tell the story of soldiers born in Crimea who are fighting to liberate their homeland with arms in their hands. Today, we are telling you the story of a soldier with the codename Tataryn.

Tataryn joined the Defense Forces of Ukraine on February 25, 2022, and has been fighting as part of the 112th Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces since then. As an infantryman, the Crimean Tatar took part in the defense of the Donetsk region, including performing tasks in the Serebrianskyi Forest. Today, Tataryn continues to serve as a member of an aerial reconnaissance group on the Eastern Front.

“If the key to the freedom of Crimea lies in the Donetsk region, I will be there.”

2014

Until 2014, Tataryn was a quiet, “home” child. He was not actively involved in the civil movement and spent almost all his free time reading books.

“I’m very grateful to my father, who once guided me in the right direction. He advised me to read quality historical literature, significantly impacting my growth.”

But the quiet and peaceful life surrounded by books was destroyed when, in 2014, the Russian invaders came with weapons in their hands to seize Crimea. On February 26, 2014, Tataryn, along with thousands of concerned citizens, took part in a rally outside the Crimean parliament in Simferopol, defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“On February 26, I attended classes at the medical college where I studied to become a dental technician. There, I learned about the events unfolding in Simferopol. I called my parents and said I wanted to join the rally. However, my father strictly forbade me, saying he would go there with my cousin, and ordered me to stay in class. At first, I agreed, but finally, I couldn’t stand it and went to Simferopol, spending the last of my money on a ticket.”

On the way, he met an older medical college friend, a Crimean Tatar, and joined the crowd. After the rally ended, the boys were lucky to get home safely.

“I remember when most of our people had left, those who were pro-Russian began to gather in the square again. I remember how they used small trees as batons and caught and kicked everyone who didn’t have time to run away. My friend and I were safe because we had our faces covered. My father was angry because I didn’t listen to him, but he was glad that I came back safe and sound.”

After these events, Tataryn graduated from medical school and obtained a Ukrainian diploma.

“It was the beginning of the Russian occupation; most people had an uncertain stance and did not understand what was happening. Out of our group of 13 people at the medical college, only my friend “Tooth” and I were the only ones who openly expressed our position. We entered the classroom saying, “Glory to Ukraine.” It is symbolic that together with “Tooth,” we joined the army in 2022, but unfortunately, he died the same year defending our freedom.”

After receiving his diploma, Tataryn began to think about what to do next. It was clear that there was no point in staying in Crimea. For a person with a pro-Ukrainian stance, it was frankly dangerous.

“My father knew me very well and told me that I would face imprisonment here or be killed for my views. So, he advised me to leave Crimea.”

In the summer of 2014, Tataryn left his home and moved to Kyiv.

“When I moved to Kyiv, I was just trying to survive. I tried to recover, to understand what to do next. For seven years in Kyiv, I tried to build a life, get an education, get a profession, and have more comfortable living conditions. But, in 2022, the same thing happened in Crimea in 2014. The first time, in 2014, I ran away from the Russians, from the occupation. The second time, it was impossible to run away, and there was nowhere to go. Then I realized that it was time to take responsibility, time to take up arms. So on February 25, I joined the Territorial Defense Forces and went to war.”

2022

Approximately three weeks before February 24, 2022, Tataryn began to realize that a large-scale Russian offensive against Ukraine was inevitable. Even though his environment did not take the threat seriously, Tataryn packed an emergency suitcase and prepared mentally.

“On February 25, I received a call from the already deceased “Tooth”. He asked me what I thought about it. I replied that I would probably go to the Territorial Defense Forces. And so I did. My childhood friend and I joined the army.”

And then there was a queue of almost two and a half thousand people to volunteer. Tataryn and his friend were the last to enter. Two nights at the recruitment center. The first experience of sleeping on cardboard, still without uniforms, but with weapons. An endless line of trucks that had to be unloaded. The first combat deployment…

“I know history too well; I understand that the occupiers will not stop until they are stopped by force. Having finished with Ukraine, Russia will move on. It is time to take responsibility and fight for our freedom and our future. Russia is destroying peace around the world, so I see no point in running away again. The main thing that keeps me here is Crimea. All I have is Crimea or the people in Crimea. So, what is the point of all this if my Crimea is under the rule of the occupiers?”

The materials were created as part of the #10yearsofResistance information campaign, which is being conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine and is part of the events dedicated to the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea.