year 2014. "Referendum" on the annexation of Crimea to Russia

Two years ago, on March 16, 2014, a "referendum" was held, as a result of which Crimea was annexed to Russia. It was held on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. Two options were put up for a vote: the entry of Crimea into Russia as a subject of the federation or the restoration of the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea of ​​1992 while maintaining Crimea as part of Ukraine. According to official results, in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, 96.77% of those who voted supported the annexation of Crimea to Russia, with a turnout of 83.1%; in Sevastopol, 95.6% voted in favor of joining Russia, with a turnout of 89.5%.

The referendum was held contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine. It was arranged by the authorities of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, formed illegally and with the support of Russian troops. Therefore, the results of the referendum, at which there were no independent international observers, and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russia, were not recognized either by Ukraine or by the vast majority of countries in the world. On March 17, Russia recognized the independence of the Republic of Crimea, proclaimed on the basis of the Declaration of Independence and the results of the referendum, and on March 18 signed an agreement with the Crimean authorities on the annexation of Crimea to Russia.