Resistance Day against the occupation of Crimea: February 26 is a significant date in Ukraine's fight for territorial integrity.
Today, February 26, Ukraine commemorates the Day of Resistance to the Russian Occupation of Crimea, established in honor of the rally that took place in Simferopol in 2014, reports UNN.
February 26 marks an important memorial date for Ukraine - the Day of Resistance to the Russian Occupation of Crimea. This day has become a symbol of resilience and courage for the Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians, and representatives of other nationalities who stood up to defend the territorial integrity of their state in 2014.
At a time when the world was just beginning to recognize the threat, on February 26, thousands of people gathered outside the Crimean Parliament to voice their support for Ukraine. The rally of peaceful citizens in Simferopol became an act of determination, a rejection of fear, and a desire for independence. People from various corners of the peninsula - Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians, and representatives of other nationalities - came together for a peaceful protest to express their yearning for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
On the same day that the rally attracted between 5,000 and 10,000 people, Russian troops were already advancing into Crimea. Soldiers without insignia, the so-called "little green men," along with local mercenaries, began seizing strategic sites across the peninsula. This marked the beginning of the occupation, which enveloped Crimea like a dark cloud, consuming everything in its path. The response to the peaceful protest was swift - on February 27, Russian forces seized the building of the Supreme Council of Crimea and the government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and just a few days later, they voted to hold a sham referendum under the watch of armed soldiers.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Simferopol, there were still people who refused to give up, even when all paths to freedom were blocked. On March 16, 2014, Russia held a fake referendum, which was boycotted by the Crimean Tatars and other pro-Ukrainian residents of the peninsula. By March 25, the last Ukrainian military unit, the minesweeper "Cherkassy," was captured, and Crimea, along with Sevastopol, became part of the Russian Federation. But no voice in the world can take away what we consider our own.
Today, 11 years after these events began, we remember all those who stood up for Ukraine, who fight for the return of Crimea, and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in this struggle. The Day of Resistance to the Russian Occupation is not only a day of remembrance but also a reminder that the fight for Crimea continues. Everyone who stood in defense of the Motherland has not been and will not be forgotten.
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