The 20th day of January is Day of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. On this day in 1991 on the first legitimate local referendum in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the majority of Crimean population voted in favour of the restoration of the autonomous status of the peninsula as a part of the Soviet Ukraine.

On the 12th day of February, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, based on the recognized results of free expression of will of the Crimean people, adopted the Law of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic No. 712-XII “On recovery of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic” within the territory of the Crimean region as a part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, and also the Resolution No. 713-XII “On enforcement of the Law of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic “On recovery of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic” and “On replenishment of the Verkhovna Rada of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic” which came into force on the 15th day of February, 1991.

Subsequently, on the 01st day of December, 1991, the Crimean people again expressed their clear position and by a majority of votes supported the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine at the Ukrainian national referendum.

Crimea is Ukraine!