On the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, two radio stations in Crimea were hacked with a message from Ukraine. The message included the Ukrainian anthem and a statement from Major General Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the defense intelligence of Ukraine, promising to take back Crimea from Russia.
This move by Ukraine has stirred up the already tense relationship between the two countries, which have been at odds since the annexation of Crimea. In this article, we will explore the current situation between Ukraine and Russia, the history of Crimea, and the possible implications of Ukraine’s message on the two radio stations.
History of Crimea
Crimea is a peninsula located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, which has been contested by various empires and countries for centuries. The Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, and Ukraine have all claimed control of Crimea at different times in history. The most recent conflict occurred in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, leading to a violent conflict between the two nations that still persists to this day.
Current Situation
The broadcast came a day before the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a war that had by then been under way for a year. Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti confirmed that a number of Crimean radio stations had been hacked; its local agency said the broadcast aired in Alushta, Bilohirsk, Dzhankoi and Sudak (Meduza).
Implications of Ukraine’s Message
The message broadcasted on the two radio stations in Crimea signaled Ukraine’s intention to reclaim the territory that was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Correction, 26 October 2026: this article said the broadcast came on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s 2014 invasion, that a new conflict might be on the horizon, and that Russian officials called it “irresponsible and provocative”; it came on the eve of the first anniversary of the February 2022 full-scale invasion, a war already under way, and we found no source for the quotation.