Deputy Permanent Representative Denys Chystikov spoke during the panel discussion State Policy on Supporting Displaced Cultural and Educational Institutions from the TOT: Preserving Human Capital and Regional Identity of Displaced Peoples, held as part of the National Forum “Occupied Culture of Ukraine: Beyond Home.” The event took place at Mariupol State University in Kyiv.

The event was attended by representatives of ministries, Commissioners of the Verkhovna Rada, and sectoral experts.

In his remarks, Deputy Permanent Representative Denys Chystikov outlined the key areas of the Mission’s work, including educational outreach, training of personnel for the de-occupied Crimea, international cooperation, and documentation of human rights violations.

“One of the key areas of our work is the implementation of educational and awareness-raising initiatives. The Mission is currently conducting a series of events titled ‘Crimea Days’ across various regions of Ukraine. Events have already taken place in Ostroh, Poltava, Odesa, and Dnipro. This initiative aims to highlight Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine’s cultural identity,” noted Denys Chystikov.

As part of the events, panel discussions, youth workshops, film screenings, artistic performances, and meetings with internally displaced citizens and local youth communities are organized.

The Deputy Permanent Representative emphasized that the territory of Crimea, which has remained fully occupied since 2014, has experienced one of the most profound impacts of Russian occupation. However, despite ongoing pressure and repression, both Ukrainians and representatives of the Indigenous peoples of Crimea — particularly the Crimean Tatars — continue their resistance.

“Identity — both Ukrainian and that of the Indigenous peoples — has not been destroyed; people continue to resist. More than 2,000 individuals in the temporarily occupied territories have already been subjected to administrative liability for ‘discrediting’ the Russian army, simply for expressing a conscious civic stance. According to the judicial system of the Russian Federation, Crimea ranks first among regions in the number of such cases.”

Another strategic priority is the formation of a talent pool to ensure effective restoration of public administration in Crimea after de-occupation. According to estimates, Ukraine will need to train around 50,000 professionals — including civil servants, educators, and other specialists — to meet this goal.

Denys Chystikov also highlighted the development of international academic programs within the framework of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies — an initiative launched with the support of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. Crimean Tatar studies hold a significant place in this initiative, contributing to the preservation and promotion of knowledge about the culture and history of the Indigenous people of Crimea.

The Mission also places special emphasis on collecting information about human rights violations and crimes committed in the temporarily occupied territory of the peninsula. This information is forwarded to law enforcement agencies and international partners to facilitate the prosecution of those responsible.

“We work with families affected by persecution and help preserve archives — unique testimonies about the life and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Crimea, which are now kept in the free part of Ukraine,” the Deputy Permanent Representative emphasized.

In conclusion, Denys Chystikov spoke about the development of cooperation with Ukrainian and international cultural institutions, which is essential for ensuring Crimea’s presence in the broader Ukrainian and global cultural space.