What is the ruling on intentionally breaking the fast during Ramadan three years ago, and is expiation obligatory after becoming aware of this?

Breaking the fast during the day in Ramadan without a legitimate Shar'i excuse is a major sin and a grave transgression. Whoever intentionally breaks their fast has violated the sanctity of this great time and disobeyed Allah's command. Imam Al-Dhahabi said: "It is established among the believers that whoever abandons prayer and fasting is worse than an adulterer and an alcoholic. Rather, they doubt his Islam and suspect him of heresy and atheism." Whoever has done this must repent to Allah Almighty, feel remorse, and resolve not to break the fast again in the future without a legitimate Shar'i excuse. They must also make up for that day. If the breaking of the fast was due to sexual intercourse, then they must make up the day and offer the major expiation (emancipating a slave, or fasting for two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people). However, if the breaking of the fast was by eating, drinking, or the like, then the preponderant opinion is that the major expiation is not obligatory, but rather repentance, seeking forgiveness, and making up that day only, or along with the minor expiation if there was no excuse for delaying the making up. Neither the making up nor the expiation is waived due to the passage of a long time.