"80 years ago, one of the most terrible crimes against human life was committed: the Soviet authorities deported the Crimean Tatar people," the president's Telegram post on May 18 reads.
”Both children and adults – everyone. Within a few days. Ruthlessly. To a foreign land. To the accompaniment of lies. The exact number of deaths is still unknown – at least one third of the Crimean Tatar people lost their lives in this deportation. And people were able to return home only decades later.”
Read also: Russia detains Crimean Tatar activist in Crimea
Ten years ago, the "evil of genocide" updated its form, changed its "ideological cover," but did not change its essence and targets and turned against Ukraine, starting with Crimea, said Zelenskyy.
"Our common historical duty is to respond to Russia's attacks with the resilience of our people, the victory of our state over the evil of occupation and just punishment for all Russian crimes of this war, starting from 2014," the Ukrainian leader said, noting that by defending Ukraine, "we honor the memory of all those whose lives were destroyed and affirm the power of humanity – the power for our future generations."
Read also: Nearly 200 political cases recorded in Crimea, majority against Crimean Tatars
80 years ago, on May 18, 1944, the forced deportation of Crimean Tatars began, one of the most brutal crimes of the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin's regime. About 200,000 representatives of this people were evicted from their homes and deported from Crimea in a matter of days. Tens of thousands of them died.
In memory of the victims of this crime, Ukraine marks the Day of Struggle for the Rights of the Crimean Tatar People on May 18. This memorable day was established by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Nov. 12, 2015, recognizing the deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Богуслав Романенко
