The forced relocation of the Crimean Tatars was carried out by the Soviet leadership in May 1944, primarily orchestrated by Joseph Stalin and his government. This group, a Turkic ethnic minority, had a long history in Crimea but became the target of Soviet repression during World War II. The backdrop of this event was the crushing defeat of the Soviet army in the early years of the war, in which the Crimean Tatars were falsely accused of collaborating with enemy forces, specifically with the Nazis after their occupation of Crimea. The mass deportation was executed with little warning, and families were separated, often losing everything.

The deportation involved harsh logistical conditions, with many Crimean Tatars transported in cattle cars to remote areas where they faced new challenges, such as adapting to unfamiliar terrain, climates, and living under surveillance. The resettlement areas, primarily in Uzbekistan, saw a range of struggles as the deportees tried to rebuild their lives amid hostility and prejudice. Many suffered from starvation, illness, and the harsh realities of their new environments, which led to significant death tolls.

Over the years, despite the Soviet government's efforts to erase their presence, the Crimean Tatars struggled to maintain their identity and culture. On their return to Crimea in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they faced numerous challenges, highlighting the long-lasting consequences of the deportation. The legacy of this operation has endured, influencing Crimean Tatar identity and their pursuit of rights and recognition in the modern era.