On this day 81 years ago, the Soviet regime forcibly deported about 200,000 Crimean Tatars from their land. They were taken away in freight cars, deprived of the right to live and remember.
Today, Russia is once again persecuting and killing. Once again, it attempts to erase Crimea from Ukrainian history. But it will not succeed.
Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians stand together. Together – in mourning for the past. Together – in the fight for freedom. Together we will bring Crimea back home.
May 18 is the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People. We remember. We fight. We will win.