Over a decade since Russia unlawfully annexed Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula continues to be at the center of the war in Ukraine and at the center of any future peace talks.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014 was sudden and relatively bloodless. Moscow deployed armed troops without insignia to take control during political instability in Ukraine, following pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych’s removal by street protests. Russian President Vladimir Putin then orchestrated a referendum on joining Russia – a vote rejected by Ukraine and the West as illegitimate.
The annexation severely strained Moscow’s relations with America and Europe, provoking sanctions that remain in place. In Russia, the action stoked patriotic sentiment. The phrase “Krym nash!” (“Crimea is ours!”) was used as a battle cry, and Putin’s popularity soared.
Fallout and years of conflict
In the aftermath of annexation, there was fighting in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv’s army and Kremlin-supported militias. Russia did not admit sending soldiers, but proof indicated otherwise – such as the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 using a Russia-provided missile system in 2014.
Putin was faulted by Russian critics for not occupying more Ukrainian territory then, but major combat raged on until 2022, when Moscow invaded Ukraine on a large scale.
Why Crimea matters
Crimea’s value is both geographical and historical. Crimea has been a highly prized naval base since long ago, with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet based there at Sevastopol. To control Crimea is to control the Black Sea – a crucial chokepoint for world grain exports and military power projection.
Historically, the Russian Empire annexed Crimea in the 18th century, sent it to Ukraine during Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in 1954, and made it part of independent Ukraine in 1991. It is home to a large Russian-speaking population, but also the Crimean Tatars, who fought against Russia’s seizure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised that Crimea will be back in Ukraine, saying Moscow “won’t be able to steal it.”
Crimea’s position in modern war
Before invading in 2022, Russia deployed forces and equipment to Crimea, enabling swift advances deep into southern Ukraine. Moscow subsequently attempted to establish a land bridge from Russia to the peninsula by seizing territory in parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson provinces.
Since then, Ukraine has carried out drone attacks and bombings on Crimea, targeting ammunition warehouses, airfields, and the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Kyiv has also bombed the Kerch Bridge, Putin’s symbolic connection between Crimea and Russia proper, several times between 2022 and 2025.
Putin included recognition of Crimea as Russian in his list of demands for peace, together with Kyiv surrendering four other annexed territories and abandoning its NATO aspirations. Ukraine has turned down those conditions firmly, vowing it will not surrender any territory.
As long as Russia continues to hold approximately 20% of Ukraine, Crimea serves as a symbol of the authority of Moscow and a hotbed of the direction of the war – and any future peace agreement.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
