DISINFO: Crimea and Sevastopol are an integral part of Russia
SUMMARY
A truly fateful milestone for the people of Sevastopol and Crimea was the day of March 16, 2014, when they made a firm, unambiguous choice - to be with Russia forever. Today, Crimea and Sevastopol are its integral parts. The history of Crimea is inseparable from the history of Russia.
On March 16, 2014, a referendum began in Crimea and Sevastopol, as a result of which 95% of those who came to the polling stations voted for joining Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea. This disinformation narrative attempts to legitimise the illegal temporary annexations of Ukrainian territories and denies Ukraine's historical statehood and territorial integrity.
Sevastopol is an Ukrainian city, as well as Luhansk and Donetsk, temporarily occupied by Russia.
No international body recognises the so-called referendum in Crimea. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine”, stating that the referendum in Crimea was NOT valid and declaring its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea.
The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order. In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU has imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.
See the timeline of the EU restrictive measures against Russia over Ukraine.
See other cases: Odesa, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Nikolaev, Kyiv - temporarily occupied Russian cities; Crimea reunited with Russia after the signature of the accession treaty to Russia; Crimea rejoined Russia as a result of a popular referendum; Crimea became part of Russia after a referendum; Russia did not annex Crimea; Joining Russia saved Crimea from bloodshed; As a result of the Ukrainian coup, Crimea returns to Russia; Crimea has never been Ukraine.