The Day of Crimean Resistance to Russian Occupation is a commemorative date marking the anniversary of a rally held by Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in Simferopol in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It was first observed in 2016 according to the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine № 3807 dated February 2, 2016, “On the Commemoration of Memorable Dates and Anniversaries in 2016,” and was not officially observed in subsequent years.
On this day in 2014, a rally in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and against an extraordinary session of the Crimean Parliament took place in Simferopol. Participants included representatives of the Crimean Tatar community, activists of the “Euromaidan Crimea” movement, members of the NGO “Salvation Army,” representatives of the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists, FC “Tavriia” ultras, and individuals not affiliated with any organization.
On February 25, a pro-russian rally was held in front of the Crimean Parliament, organized by the “Crimean Front” organization and various “Cossack” groups. Participants chanted pro-Russian slogans and demanded separation from Ukraine through a referendum. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Volodymyr Konstantinov, addressed the rally, announcing an extraordinary session to be held on February 26. Media reports suggested that the session might address the issue of Crimea leaving Ukraine.
On February 26, two simultaneous rallies occurred outside the Crimean Parliament: a pro-Ukrainian rally organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the “Euromaidan Crimea” movement, and other pro-Ukrainian organizations, which drew up to 10,000 participants; and a pro-Russian rally with around 7,000 participants, initiated by the “Russian Unity” party. Due to inadequate security measures, clashes broke out between the pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian participants, resulting in two deaths. The pro-Russian rally was pushed into the inner courtyard of the Crimean Parliament, and the session scheduled for the previous day was canceled.
The following day, russian special forces seized the buildings of the Crimean Parliament and the Council of Ministers in Simferopol.
On February 26, 2020, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced the signing of a decree establishing February 26 in Ukraine as the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol as an annual commemorative date.