DISINFO: Crimea became Russian after the 2014 referendum
SUMMARY
Crimea became a Russian republic after a referendum was held there in March 2014, when 96.77% of Crimean voters and 95.6% of Sevastopol residents voted to join Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlindisinformation narrative on the illegal annexation of Crimea.
No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced on the 27th of February 2014, and held on 16th of March 2014. The oft-cited figure of 97% has been contested by the Kremlin’s own Human Rights Council, which estimated that only between 30% and 50% of Crimeans took part in the referendum, of which some 50-60% favoured secession.
A year after the illegal annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putinadmitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum.
The EU has taken apolicy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol that includes a set of restrictive measures for actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Read similar cases claiming thatCrimean people have expressed their desire to rejoin Russia in a democratic process and thatCrimea never belonged to Ukraine.