Despite the prolonged occupation, Crimea continues to resist. Harsh repressions, numerous raids, and constant pressure have not broken the spirit of its people. The Ukrainian language is still spoken on the peninsula, national consciousness is passed down through generations, and traditions are preserved in family stories — despite all attempts to erase them. Every day, Crimeans stand against the occupiers — quietly, yet resolutely. Their choice is one of courage, commitment to truth, dignity, and their identity.

As part of the special project #resistance_movement, in collaboration with the National Resistance Center, we share the stories of those who refuse to let the enemy erase Ukraine’s presence from our land.

The occupation administration continues its attempts to eliminate all traces of Ukraine: national symbols are disappearing, Ukrainian schools are being shut down, and individuals are persecuted for their language and beliefs. The so-called law on “discrediting the Russian army” has become a tool to silence dissent. And yet, the peninsula does not remain silent.

Every act of resistance — whether a drawing, a leaflet, or a word written on a wall — is part of a vast network of defiance. Below are examples of the most recent manifestations of this struggle:

•  A resident of Feodosiia was placed in pre-trial detention by an occupation “court” on fabricated charges of “state treason” and allegedly transferring information to Ukraine about the locations of occupying forces’ facilities — including air defense systems and Feodosiia’s port infrastructure.
• In Kerch, the occupiers illegally sentenced a local resident to 13 years in a maximum-security penal colony and an additional 1 year and 10 months of restricted freedom for allegedly cooperating with Ukrainian intelligence by transmitting geolocation data of Russian military sites.

Today, resistance in temporarily occupied Crimea has evolved from isolated acts of dissent into a well-coordinated movement that has grown stronger since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. A resilient underground network has emerged on the peninsula — a community of people acting in unity, undeterred by the risks and unwavering in their determination.

They resist the occupiers in the information space, document their crimes, organize nonviolent protest actions, and relay critical intelligence to Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Their efforts are not only acts of bravery — they send a clear message: Crimea has not surrendered, and it will not be silenced.

Every action they take is a testament to the peninsula’s resistance. It is the voice of Crimea declaring: we have not submitted, we stand firm, and we remain an inseparable part of a free Ukraine.

• Activists from the ATESH resistance movement continue to monitor the actions of Russian occupiers in Crimea. This week, they reported that due to a shortage of medical facilities, a field hospital was deployed at the base of the 810th Marine Brigade in Sevastopol to treat wounded personnel. Additionally, at the 12th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces, equipment was being relocated, and most of the personnel were dispersed outside the unit’s premises — a precaution against potential strikes by Ukraine’s Armed Forces. In Simferopol, partisans distributed leaflets calling for resistance, reinforcing local hope for the peninsula’s liberation.
• The Yellow Ribbon movement remains active in occupied Crimea. Resistance members regularly disseminate anti-occupation leaflets, tie symbolic yellow ribbons to poles, fences, and public transport stops, and leave slogans on walls and sidewalks. These actions appear near government buildings, educational institutions, and commercial areas across various cities. Each act is documented and shared via media outlets, activist platforms, and archives. The goal is clear — to remind the occupiers they are unwelcome on this land.
• The women-led initiative Zla Mavka focuses on preserving the stories of Crimeans. They record personal testimonies about house raids, interrogations, enforced disappearances, and the everyday pressure of censorship. These narratives are transformed into visual projects: illustrated quotes, audio stories, and short films. The activists also organize virtual exhibitions that portray life under occupation through the lens of women’s experiences. Their mission is to preserve the truth and counter propaganda that seeks to erase it.
• The Crimean Combat Seagulls movement is engaged in collecting and analyzing intelligence on the activities of the Russian occupying forces. Their work includes tracking the locations of military equipment, monitoring troop movements, and identifying collaborators — particularly among local officials and law enforcement. Participants compile databases of traitors, examine documents, and gather and transmit confidential information. Some of this intelligence is shared with Ukrainian security services, while other portions are published in public reports.

As of June 23, 2025, at least 221 individuals remain imprisoned due to politically motivated persecution orchestrated by Russia’s occupying administration in Crimea. Among them, 133 are representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, who are baselessly accused of “terrorism,” “extremism,” or “treason.” These repressions are part of a deliberate policy aimed at suppressing any form of resistance, curtailing fundamental freedoms, and displacing the Indigenous population from its historical homeland.

Those imprisoned face isolation, torture, and constant psychological pressure. Yet even under such conditions, they remain committed to their principles and national dignity. Their resilience has become a symbol of resistance — a testament to courage and the unyielding pursuit of freedom.

Recent events only underscore this unwavering resilience.

• In temporarily occupied Sevastopol, the occupying forces detained a 48-year-old local resident over social media comments in which he criticized the actions of the occupation troops and called on Ukraine’s Armed Forces to destroy occupiers’ targets. A criminal case has been unlawfully opened against him.

The resistance movement in temporarily occupied Crimea is not only surviving — it is growing stronger. This is reflected in the increasing pressure exerted by the occupation administration. As of 17 July 2025, at least 1,472 cases have been recorded under Article 20.3.3 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences, submitted to so-called “courts” and other repressive bodies.

In 1340 of these cases, fines have already been issued or consolidated rulings made, while 55 cases are still under consideration. Gender-wise, 683 rulings (51%) were issued against women and 656 (49%) against men. The situation in Armiansk is particularly alarming: in the first half of 2025 alone, 164 cases were opened there.

We express our deep gratitude to everyone who continues the fight despite the constant threat. Every symbol, every word, every blue-and-yellow accent carries the power of resistance. These are signs that say: we have not disappeared, we are not silent, we stand strong.

When every gesture — from a post to a ribbon — can lead to a fine, a raid, or imprisonment, it becomes an act of remarkable courage. You are the soul of the resistance. And we reaffirm: Crimea has not surrendered. Crimea resists. Crimea is Ukraine.