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In a follow up tweet, Prystaiko compared the map changes to having a \"piece of your heart stolen by your worst enemy\" and someone else not caring \"about your pain.\"

Ukraine's embassy in the U.S. also tweeted in response to the news, \"We guess Ukrainians not giving any thanks to @Apple this #Thanksgiving!\"

\"So let’s all remind Apple that #CrimeaIsUkraine and it is under Russian occupation -- not its sovereignty,\" the tweet added.

We guess Ukrainians not giving any thanks to @Apple this #Thanksgiving!

So let’s all remind Apple that #CrimeaIsUkraine and it is under Russian occupation - not its sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/GWzPwjHhsB

— UKR Embassy in USA (@UKRintheUSA) November 27, 2019

Apple did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment Wednesday and has not publicly commented on the move.

\"PHOTO:
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: The Crimean bridge between Kerch on the Crimean peninsula and the Russian heartland, built under protest of Ukraine and the international community, is visible from the Russian mainland in Taman, July 26, 2019.
>

In March, to mark the five-year anniversary of the land grab, the European Union and NATO each put out statements condemning the illegal annexation and expressing support for Ukraine.

\"We strongly condemn this act, which we do not and will not recognise,\" NATO said in its statement. \"We call on Russia to return control of Crimea to Ukraine. We reiterate our full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and territorial waters. Crimea is the territory of Ukraine.\"

Earlier this year, Apple was accused by critics of bowing to pressure in China when it removed a police-tracking app from the App Store amidst protests in Hong Kong. Apple defended its decision in a statement saying it has learned that the app \"has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong.\"

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