On June 26, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag, a day to honor the ethnic symbol of the Crimean Tatars.

The modern Crimean Tatar flag was approved by the First Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people in 1917, held in Bakhchysarai. Since then, the blue flag with a golden temga has become an important symbol of the Crimean Tatar identity.

Since its inception, the Crimean Tatar flag has been banned several times: in 1929, the communist government declared the blue flag "bourgeois nationalist" and banned its use. After the deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 from their homeland, keeping the ethnic flag of the Crimean Tatars was considered a crime against the Soviet government. Only since the return of the Crimean Tatars to Crimea, after the declaration of Ukraine's independence, the Crimean Tatar flag has begun its own revival along with its people.

After the temporary occupation of Crimea in 2014, Russia resumed criminal Soviet practices against the Crimean Tatar people, aimed at destroying the historical memory, distinctive culture and language of the Crimean Tatar people.

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has led to an even greater deterioration of the situation with fundamental freedoms and human rights on the Crimean Peninsula. The Russian occupation authorities continue their policy of discrimination on ethnic and religious grounds, political persecution and brutal repression against the indigenous people.

This day serves as a reminder of the Crimean Tatar people's resistance and determination to preserve their culture and identity. The return of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags will mean the return of freedom and prosperity to the peninsula.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on its partners, in particular, the International Crimea Platform, to increase support for Ukraine to ensure a speedy victory over the Russian invaders and the liberation of all territories.

The Russian Federation must be held accountable under international law for all crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine, including in Crimea.