Today, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. It was with the occupation of Crimea in 2014 that Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine began. This day has become a symbol of courage, unity, and boldness of the inhabitants of the peninsula.

On February 26, 2014, thousands of people gathered near the building of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, who advocated the preservation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and against the organization of an extraordinary session of the Crimean parliament, which pro-Russian activists wanted to convene on February 25, 2014. Russia tried to bring to the session the issue of holding the so-called "referendum for the independence of Crimea", but thanks to a rally of thousands of citizens, an extraordinary session of the parliament was prevented.

The very next day, the Russian Federation moved to the open force phase of the seizure of the peninsula. Armed soldiers without insignia seized administrative buildings and began to block Ukrainian military units and strategic facilities. Thus began the temporary occupation of Crimea, which has lasted for 12 years.

During this time, Crimea has become a territory of systematic human rights violations, political persecution, oppression of Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian activists, militarization, and Russification. Despite this, resistance continues — in various forms, often imperceptible, but daily and courageous.

February 26 is a reminder that Crimea was and remains part of Ukraine. The struggle for its de-occupation continues, and the return of the peninsula is a matter of justice, security, and the restoration of international law.