02 March 2025
(Photo: Yellow Ribbon)
In Simferopol, Yalta, and Dzhankoy, activists distributed pro-Ukrainian posters and other symbols of Ukrainian resistance.
Relevant photos were posted on theYellow Ribbon movement's telegram channel.
"Posters and ribbons were distributed on the streets of Simferopol, in particular on Solnechny Lane and Birlik Street, at bus stops in Yalta and Dzhankoy. No matter how difficult the situation is, the resistance will continue until the cities are completely liberated and the Ukrainian flag is raised in the central squares, which we are all looking forward to," the activists signed the photo.
"Yellow Ribbon is a resistance movement of Ukrainians in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. The movement's organizers say that the number of underground activists exceeds several thousand and is constantly growing. According to them, the community in Crimea is one of the most active, especially in Simferopol, Yalta, Yevpatoria and Feodosia, and recently residents of smaller towns such as Simeiz and Balaklava have been joining them.
On the eve of February 26, the Day of Crimean Resistance, the blue and yellow flag reappeared where the occupiers are trying to erase the Ukrainian presence, where they are afraid of even the colors of freedom.
"Ukrainian flags have flown on the top of Pakhkal-Kai," the activists said.
11 years ago, on February 26, 2014, thousands of people came to the walls of the Supreme Council of Crimea to defend the right of the peninsula to remain part of Ukraine and to resist Russian separatism. But the annexation soon followed. It was followed by repression, persecution, and intimidation of those who did not accept the occupation. However, the struggle has not stopped. Ukrainians in Crimea continue to resist.
During the years of the annexation of Crimea, 385 people have been prosecuted for political reasons. As of today, 240 of them are in detention.
Recently, in the occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted massive searches in the homes of Crimean Muslim Tatars. The raids took place in the villages of Dzhankoy and Kirov districts. The occupants were Emir Kurtnezirov from the village of Lobanove. He is the son of political prisoner and Imam Remzi Kurtnezirov. The searches also took place in the houses of Rustem Mustafayev in the village of Istochne, Abibulla Smedlyayev in Novokrymske and Mirzaal Tajibayev in the village of Yarke Pole. All four were detained by the FSB. Later, it became known about the fifth detainee - Bakhtiyar Ablaev from the village of Kovylne, Dzhankoy district.
In 2024, 61 searches were recorded in the occupied Crimea, of which 35 were conducted in the homes of Crimean Tatars.
Олеся Ланцман
Sept. 10, 2026
Refat Abibulaev, a delegate to the World Congress of Crimean Tatars, has died in Crimea