March 16, 2025, marked eleven years since the disputed local referendum that Russia organized in 2014 to legitimize the annexation of Crimea. The outcome of the referendum was not recognized by the international community. The occupation of Crimea was followed by the outbreak of armed conflict in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in April 2014 and paved the way to Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Learn more about Russia鈥檚 illegal annexation of Crimea from the infographic below and explore the Kennan Institute鈥檚 publications on the topic.
Related Content
Taking Stock: A Decade of Russia鈥檚 Occupation of Crimea
Posted date/time:
The West Fails to Learn from Crimea鈥檚 Ten-Year Occupation
Posted date/time:
Ukrainian Society on the Anniversary of Twin Tragedies
Posted date/time:
Three Decades of Ukraine's Independence
Posted date/time:
Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the surrounding region through research and exchange. Read more
Explore More
Browse Insights & Analysis
Russia鈥檚 Indigenous Communities and the War in Ukraine
Posted date/time:
Trump Speaks with Putin in Effort to End Russia-Ukraine War
Duration:23:00Posted date/time:
The Rise of the Turkic World in Eurasian Geopolitics
Posted date/time:
Infographic | Inspirational Women in Eastern European Politics
Posted date/time: