Accession to Russia in Crimea in 2014: how was it?

Many changes occurred in the world in 2014. For some, they passed unnoticed, others simply began to read news more often, for the third world became war.

For the population of Crimea this year much has changed. "The peninsula of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol have become part of the Russian Federation," the result of the 2014 referendum will sound for many descendants. It will be in 20, 30, maybe 40 years. And now some will say: "Crimea has returned home," others will argue: "Russia occupied the Crimea."

Before considering the events of early 2014 and understanding what the Crimeans breathe after the year of Crimea's accession to Russia, it is worthwhile to make a short excursion into the past and to learn how the history of the peninsula and Russia is connected.

The transition of Crimea under the rule of the Russian Empire

In July 1774 Russia's war with the Ottoman Empire ended. As a result, a number of Black Sea cities moved to the victors, and they got the right to have trade and military ships in the Black Sea. An independent state appeared on the Crimean peninsula .

Already in 1774 it became clear that the accession to Russia of the Crimea is, as they say, a matter of time. But it was resolved not by military means, but by political means.

With the help of Russia, Khan Shagin-Girey came to power in the Crimea, and the previous ruler with his supporters had to flee to Turkey. The annexation of Crimea to Russia in 1783 was fixed by the manifesto of Empress Catherine II on April 8. Since then, the history of the peninsula is inextricably linked with Russia.

A Brief History of the Crimea from 1921 to 1954

Crimea after accession to Russia in 1783 began to drastically change, infrastructure and production developed, the national composition of the population was replaced.

When the Bolsheviks came to power and the Civil War ended, the Crimean ASSR was established. At the beginning of the 20th century Russians lived on the peninsula, which accounted for almost half of the population (49.6%), Crimean Tatars (19.4%), Ukrainians (13.7%), Jews (5.8%), Germans (4 , 5%) and other nationalities (7%).

During the Great Patriotic War, fierce battles were fought in the Crimea, a long occupation unrecognizably changed the face of the peninsula and the character of its inhabitants. In the spring of 1944, an operation began to liberate the Crimea from the invaders.

In 1944-1946 the Crimean Tatars were deported from the peninsula for the support of fascist Germany, the Crimean region was formed as part of Russia.

Crimea and Ukraine

In 1954, Crimea was included in the Ukrainian Republic. This was logical and dictated by close economic and cultural ties, as well as the unity of the territories. Many communications, rail and road routes were connected with the mainland part of Ukraine.

In 1989, the attitude of the government of the Union to the Crimean Tatars changed and their return migration to the peninsula began.

In early 1991, the first referendum was held, following which Crimea again obtained autonomy rights in the Ukrainian SSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union Crimea remained part of the now independent Ukraine. From 1994 to 2014 the Autonomous Republic of Crimea existed. In early 2014, a new accession to Russia of the Crimea took place.

How it all began

In November 2013, protests began in the Ukrainian capital . President of the country V. Yanukovich postponed the signing of an association agreement with the European Union. This was the reason for people to go out into the streets.

The action that began with the student rally grew into a powerful movement. Tens of thousands of people have organized a tent city in the center of Kiev, began to occupy administrative buildings, burn tires.

Gradually, the peaceful meeting turned into a tough confrontation between the demonstrators and the police. The first victims appeared on both sides. Simultaneously, in the western regions of Ukraine, actions began against the existing government, appointed heads of city and regional councils, monuments of the Soviet regime collapsed.

The coup d'état in Ukraine

In February 2014 the action in Kiev, which became known as EuroMaidan, reached its peak. Dozens of protesters and law enforcement officers were killed by unknown snipers. The opposition and leaders of the protest movement made a coup, President Yanukovich and his family fled the country.

Pro-Western leaders, aggressive against the Russians, Russia and the Soviet Union, came to power. Illegal armed groups began to move from Kiev to the regions. In the south-east of the country , mass actions against the new regime began.

Crimea: from demonstrations to referendum

The crisis of the Ukrainian authorities in February 2014 led the Crimea to the need to determine its future destiny. The adoption of a new power in Ukraine meant the disruption of the historical, cultural, social connection of the peninsula with Russia. The forces that made the coup in Kiev unequivocally hostilely and aggressively spoke out about Russians, including those living in the Crimea.

In Sevastopol, Simferopol, Kerch and other cities, protests began against the new government in Kiev, the oppression of the Russian language, the imposition of its history, the arrival of armed aggressive supporters of Euromaidan, the destruction of Soviet-era monuments. It must be said, however, that part of the population of the Crimea supported the leaders who came to power and, as a whole, the action in the center of the capital of Ukraine. Basically, the consent of the new authorities was expressed by the Crimean Tatars.

Defending their values, culture, way of life and security, the inhabitants of the Crimea announced their desire to hold a referendum on which to determine the will of the majority of the citizens of the peninsula: to remain under the rule of Ukraine or to join Russia.

The preparation, implementation and outcome of the 2014 referendum

The date of the referendum on the fate of the Crimea was scheduled for May 25. While the peninsula was actively training, in Ukraine, the United States and European countries, the issue of the illegality of such a referendum was discussed, in advance they spoke of non-recognition of its results.

Later, against the background of the growing crisis in Ukraine, the date of voting was postponed as early as March 16. The people in the Crimea showed great activity and turnout, which exceeded 80% of the population. The Crimeans realized the fate of the referendum. It was not yet the date of joining the Crimea to Russia, but now it is the day of March 16 that is proposed to be made a holiday on the peninsula.

Already on March 17 the results were summed up. The population of Crimea voted to unite with Russia. And on March 21 the law was approved and signed, according to which the Crimea and Sevastopol were officially annexed to Russia.

Russian military in the Crimea

At the end of winter of 2014 on the Crimean peninsula active movements of people in military uniform were noticed. Politicians who illegally received power in Kiev immediately accused Russia of military aggression. In turn, Russia denied the presence of its military contingent on the peninsula, except for the units based in accordance with the agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Later, the military, who made redeployment on the territory of the peninsula, began to be called "green men" and "polite people."

I must say that Ukraine refused to the leadership of the Autonomous Republic in creating conditions for the will of the people. And, thanks to the presence of the Russian military contingent, who had the right to be on the peninsula, the Crimea joined Russia by peaceful means.

Questions of legality of detachment of Crimea from Ukraine

Ukraine and its allies immediately announced the illegal actions of the government of Crimea and Russia. The results of the referendum and the very fact of its holding, according to the leaders of many countries, are illegal. The countries of the European Union and the United States have not recognized the annexation of the Crimea to Russia and continue to maintain that the peninsula is under occupation.

At the same time, they supported an unconstitutional coup in Kiev, and, moreover, representatives of the United States and Europe met with the activists of EuroMaidan and even advised its leaders.

The announcement of the referendum in the Crimea was made by the legitimate government of the autonomous republic. The appearance on polling stations showed the interest of the population in resolving the issue of the further life of the peninsula in the conditions of the growing crisis in Ukraine and the world. The absolute majority, exceeding 90% of those who voted, spoke in favor of joining the Crimea to Russia.

International law implies the possibility of a people living in a certain territory, independently decide their own destiny. And the population of Crimea did it. The autonomy of the republic as part of Ukraine allowed the government to declare a referendum, and so it happened.

The first months after the referendum

The transition period is difficult for the inhabitants of the peninsula. Accession of Crimea to Russia in 2014 is undoubtedly the most important historical event in the life of the whole country. But what became and will become the life of the Crimeans in the near future?

In March-April, 2014, enterprises and banks began to close on the peninsula, payments on cards and cash desks stopped. Ukrainian businessmen withdrew their assets.

Disruptions began with water and electricity, unemployment increased, and the queues for the re-registration of documents did not add joy to the everyday life of Crimeans. In April-May, the first wave of refugees from the southeast of Ukraine poured into the peninsula, where the armed confrontation of the Kiev authorities with the militia of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions began.

How, after a few months, did the local residents begin to perceive the Crimea's accession to Russia? The responses were very different. Some have succumbed to anguish and panic due to the deteriorating economic situation. Others were willing to follow the chosen path through any obstacles. The life of the peninsula has changed and not in all areas for the better, but the Crimeans live and enjoy the changes.

Have not yet changed the number of cell phones, not withdrawn from the turnover of the hryvnia, did not receive new license plates for cars, but the tricolor flags are already fluttering everywhere.

How the Crimeans met the New Year 2015

The accession of the Crimea to Russia in 2014 added a lot of trouble and worries to the life of the indigenous population. For these worries, someone did not notice the approach of the New Year. In cities, light and water are turned off more and more, prices are rising just like traffic jams, new jobs have not yet been created, so many will welcome the holidays modestly: no work - no money.

It will soon be a year since the Crimea joined Russia. Opinions are still different. But here and there you can hear the call: "Do not worry, we'll survive."
In 2015, the Crimeans are waiting for a lot of changes, but they have already learned patience. The main thing that many of them note is calmness, which allows us to look to the future without fear.

Russia after the annexation of Crimea

Many political scientists, economists, businessmen consider: joining Crimea to Russia costs the country so much that it was cheaper to buy the peninsula from Ukraine. Sanctions, initiated by the United States, by the summer of 2014 began to be felt in the work of Russian enterprises. The financial system of the country was also destabilized.

Even large enterprises are forced to reduce the number of manufactured products, which is why workers are expected to fall, which means an increase in unemployment throughout the country.

The US was supported by most of the EU countries. Sanctions are getting tougher, Russia is accused of occupation of the Crimea and active assistance to militiamen of the South-East of Ukraine. The Kiev authorities constantly make statements about the presence of regular Russian troops on their sovereign territory.

Europe and the United States are trying to isolate the Russian economy, bring down financial markets, force it to play by its own rules. But the situation did not get out of control, the country has serious allies, the economy is beginning to reorient to new markets.