The occupying authorities completely dismantled the letters spelling out “Ukraine” from the facade of a hotel in Akyar (Sevastopol) using a crane. The hotel has had this name since 1963 and was a recognizable part of the cityscape. This step is yet another example of how Russia is trying to erase any mentioning of Ukraine from the public space of occupied Crimea.
They are renaming streets, demolishing monuments, changing historical names, and now even signs that have been part of the city for decades. They rename streets, demolish monuments, change historical names, and now even signs that have been part of the city for decades.
Such actions demonstrate the occupiers’ fear of Ukrainian identity. They are getting rid of everything that reminds them of the true owners of this land. But even if they remove the letters from the facade, they will not be able to erase the word “Ukraine” from people’s memories, history, and culture.
Crimea is Ukraine. It always has been and always will be.