February 26 is the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol in Ukraine. On this day in 2014, thousands of Crimean residents gathered outside the Crimean parliament to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and oppose Russian aggression. Within days, Russia launched the active phase of its invasion of Crimea, followed by persecution of activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and anyone who openly opposed it. Russia uses criminal cases as a tool to silence civil society. People are detained for peaceful protests, civic activism, journalism, or even social media posts supporting Ukraine. This day reminds us of those who stood up to Russian aggression in 2014 – and those who continue to resist today. Ukraine keeps working to free its citizens and document human rights violations in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The international community plays a key role through sanctions, monitoring, and support for political prisoners and their families. Today, we share the stories of Crimean political prisoners. #CrimeaIsUkraine

Overnight, Russia launched a massive, coordinated attack against Ukraine using 315 drones and 7 missiles, including two ballistic missiles of North Korean origin. The targets: civilian homes, city infrastructure, and medical facilities. Across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro and Chernihiv regions, 13 people were injured. In Odesa, a missile killed a 59-year-old man and injured at least four others. One strike destroyed the administrative building of an emergency medical station, damaging ambulances and nearby homes. Another hit a maternity hospital – patients and staff were evacuated. In Kyiv, strikes hit seven districts. Explosions and fires tore through apartment buildings, schools, private homes, and warehouses. At least four people were hospitalized. Russia’s missiles and Shahed drones speak louder than the world’s calls for peace. The international community must not respond to these Russian strikes with silence, but with action. Peace requires strong pressure – from the U.S., which has the power to restrain Russia; from Europe, which has no alternative but strength.

Overnight, Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine. The strikes claimed at least 12 lives, including 3 children, and injured over 50 people. ▫️Kyiv region: At least 4 people were killed. 16 more were injured, among them 3 children. ▫️Kyiv city: 11 people injured, aged between 18 and 62. Dormitory and residential buildings were damaged. ▫️Zhytomyr region: 3 children aged 8, 12, and 17 were killed. 12 others injured and hospitalized. Homes were destroyed across the region. ▫️Khmelnytskyi region: 4 people were killed, 5 injured. A school, public transport, and dozens of homes were destroyed or damaged. ▫️Mykolaiv: A drone hit a five-story residential building. 1 man was killed, 5 injured. Two floors collapsed. ▫️Kharkiv region: 3 people injured in Kharkiv, including a child wounded by shattered glass. Office and residential buildings were hit. In the region, drones struck schools, farms, and grain storage facilities, killing animals. ▫️Dnipro region: Missiles and drones hit Dnipro and surrounding districts. Homes, industry, and infrastructure were damaged. ▫️Ternopil and Sumy: Industrial sites were targeted. The war continues because Moscow chooses missiles over peace. Ukraine has offered ceasefires again and again – both complete and in the air – but Russia has answered with more attacks. We call on our partners to act with tougher sanctions and pressure on Russia to stop this terror.

15 injured in Kyiv as Russia unleashes massive air attack on the night of May 24. A week after the Istanbul meeting, Russia sends 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones, not a "peace memorandum." Debris from intercepted drones caused fires and damage in at least six districts. Other regions including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia also suffered from the strikes. Once again, Russia undermines its own words with violent action — targeting Ukrainian cities instead of bringing to the negotiating table. Such actions demand a stronger sanctions response.