A lecture by Nariman Dzhelyal, First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, took place at the Mission’s office. The event was held as part of the JustTalk initiative, founded by Just Group, which serves as a platform for open discussions on criminal justice, human rights protection, and international law. The lecture focused on the myths about Crimea that Russia has propagated for decades to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the role of information warfare in legitimizing the occupation.

Deputy Permanent Representative Denys Chystikov expressed gratitude to Nariman Dzhelyal, the event organizers, and the lecture participants, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in the de-occupation of Crimea. He outlined the Mission’s activities, highlighting key stages of its development, including the establishment of the Crimea Platform Office. Particular attention was given to the cultural dimension of the Mission’s work, such as the opening of the Shadow of Water exhibition, dedicated to 11 years of resistance to Crimea’s occupation, and the Crimea Days in Poltava, which is part of a broader series of events organized by the Mission this year. Denys Chystikov also discussed the Mission’s legal initiatives, detailing its efforts in the legal domain:

“The Mission, together with partners from the public and governmental sectors, has already developed a number of strategic policy documents that have been submitted to the Government. These are not just roadmaps for the Ukrainian authorities but also a clear signal to our international partners of the state’s readiness for the de-occupation and subsequent recovery of Crimea,” stated Denys Chystikov.

In his speech, Nariman Dzhelyal highlighted that one of the key narratives actively promoted by Russia long before 2014 is the claim of Crimea’s “eternal Russianness.” This narrative is a direct result of policies aimed at erasing the Crimean Tatars and other Indigenous peoples from Ukraine’s historical memory of Crimea.

“When, after the deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944, the Soviet regime tasked historians with creating the concept of a so-called ‘Russian Crimea,’ the falsification and rewriting of history began. Theories were introduced into academic discourse claiming that the Scythians were the ancestors of Russians, while the Crimean Tatars were portrayed not as the Indigenous people but as foreign invaders. Since then, these narratives have formed the foundation of propaganda, which continues to be used today,” emphasized Nariman Dzhelyal.

However, historical facts contradict these claims. Until 1783, when Catherine II signed the decree annexing the Crimean Khanate, Crimea had no administrative or political ties to Russia. At the time of the Russian invasion, Crimean Tatars made up approximately 93% of the peninsula’s population. Following the occupation, the Russian Empire launched systematic repressions, including persecution and forced displacement of the Indigenous population through economic and political pressure, leading to large-scale migration of Crimean Tatars to the Ottoman Empire.

Nariman Dzhelyal highlighted another myth frequently used to “justify” the Russian occupation—the claim that Nikita Khrushchev “gifted” Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 solely at his personal discretion.

“This decision was not made unilaterally and had entirely pragmatic economic grounds. Crimea was in a critical state after World War II. The genocide-deportation of the Indigenous people, the Crimean Tatars, further exacerbated the situation. As part of the Ukrainian SSR, Crimea received the necessary resources for recovery, including access to water and transportation networks,” explained Nariman Dzhelyal.

Nariman Dzhelyal also debunked the myth of the “free will of Crimeans” in the so-called referendum. Under Ukraine’s Constitution, any change to the country’s territorial structure can only occur through an all-Ukrainian referendum. Moreover, the 2014 vote took place under Russian military occupation and lacked any international legitimacy.

As part of the event, participants were given a guided tour of the Shadow of Water exhibition, dedicated to 11 years of resistance to Crimea’s occupation. Curator Khrystyna Burdym introduced attendees to the concept of the exhibition, which explores memory as a form of resistance. The exhibition highlights culture, history, and collective experience, which endure through art, traditions, and intergenerational knowledge transfer despite all attempts at erasure. The exhibition was organized by the Mission / Crimea Platform Office and the Crimea Daily media initiative. It was realized with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, the United States, Finland, Switzerland, and Sweden.

We are delighted to welcome JustTalk participants to the Mission’s office! Special thanks to JustGroup for initiating and fostering a space for professional discussions. A heartfelt thank you to Nariman Dzhelyal for his insightful analysis and critical perspectives on historical myths, the occupation of Crimea, and the information struggle.

Photos by Hanna Putylina