Detention: After the occupation of Crimea, Veldar Shukurdiyev was repeatedly subjected to unlawful detentions by Russian security forces due to his pro-Ukrainian activities. Notably, on March 9, 2015, he was detained in Simferopol during a commemoration of Taras Shevchenko. On November 25, 2015, he was again detained at the administrative border with Crimea after returning from mainland Ukraine through the Kalanchak checkpoint.

Sentence: His persecution involved systematic detentions, interrogations, and administrative pressure related to his public activities. Due to constant pressure, he was forced to leave occupied Crimea.

Veldar Shukurdiyev is a Ukrainian public figure, Crimean Tatar, active participant in the Crimean Tatar national movement, and advocate for Ukraine's territorial integrity. After the Russian occupation of Crimea began, he became one of the founders of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Crimea, a civic initiative supporting Ukrainian culture, language, and national identity on the occupied peninsula.

Following the annexation of Crimea, Veldar Shukurdiyev openly opposed the Russian occupation and participated in peaceful public actions. As a result, he regularly came under the scrutiny of the FSB and other occupation structures.

His detention on March 9, 2015, during the traditional event for Taras Shevchenko's birthday in Simferopol, became particularly notable. Russian security forces detained several participants for merely using Ukrainian symbols and singing Ukrainian songs.

On March 2, 2015, the district court found Veldar Shukurdiyev guilty of committing an administrative offense, specifically violating the established order for holding a public event. He was given the maximum penalty under the relevant article of the Russian code—40 hours of mandatory community service. The court noted that the violation involved displaying the Ukrainian state symbols—a national flag with the inscription 'Crimea is Ukraine'.

Veldar appealed the district court's decision. On April 20, 2015, the so-called Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea decided to change the ruling on his administrative liability, imposing a fine of 10,000 Russian rubles. The court stated that displaying the Ukrainian flag could not be reconciled with the rally for the 201st anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birth, concluding that Veldar effectively participated in another public event not previously coordinated with local authorities.

After repeated detentions and constant pressure, Veldar Shukurdiyev left occupied Crimea and moved to Ukrainian-controlled territory. He later joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), and continued to defend Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces after the full-scale Russian invasion began. His story exemplifies how a civic activist became a military serviceman to defend the state's independence after Crimea's occupation.

As of July 30, 2026, Veldar Shukurdiyev is serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and continues to fight for the de-occupation of Crimea.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Ukrainska Pravda, Center for Journalistic Investigations, Krym.Realii.

Photo: Krym.Realii.

Date of update: 30.07.2026.