Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea

In early 2014, the Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia following a period of intense political instability in Ukraine. The process began with the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv, which escalated after President Viktor Yanukovych rejected an EU agreement in favor of a Moscow-aligned course. Following Yanukovych's flight from the capital on February 22, 2014, a transitional government took power.

The annexation involved armed soldiers without insignia, often referred to as ‘little green men,’ occupying government buildings. A referendum was rapidly organized, leading Vladimir Putin to declare Crimea Russian territory. While the operation appeared sudden, separatist leader Igor Girkin later indicated that planning was long-term, noting his arrival on the peninsula as early as February 21, 2014.

Vladimir Putin eventually confirmed in April 2014 that these unidentified soldiers were regular Russian military personnel. The annexation has resulted in significant demographic shifts, with an estimated 800,000 people moving from Russia to Crimea, while tens of thousands of Crimean Tatars have left the peninsula.