Since Moscow’s unprovoked invasion in February 2021, Ukraine has launched multiple strikes against Russian positions in Crimea, which was previously annexed by Moscow in 2014 and is currently under Kremlin control. Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to liberate Crimea, which he says remains “part of Ukrainian people and society. He also criticized Russia’s treatment of Muslims in Crimea. “Russia’s attempt to enslave Ukraine and other people of Europe began precisely from the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, precisely from repressions in the Crimea against Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar freedom, against Crimean Muslims,” Zelensky said. “The liberation of Crimea has no alternatives not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole world.”
