Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia from 2014 to present

All or part of its five regions Ukrainian located from the industrial region of Donbas in the north-east of the country to the Crimean peninsula in the south has now been annexed by Russia after referendums denounced by the international community.

According to estimates by the American think tank ISW (Institute for the Study of War) these areas represent 19.4% of Ukrainian territory, including 11.9% conquered by the Russian offensive that began on February 24, 2022.

But on February 27, 2014, pro-Russian commandos seized the local parliament, where MPs were rushed to elect a government favorable to Moscow.

On March 16, 2014, during a so-called referendum denounced by the international community, 97% of residents voted “in favor” of joining Russia, according to Moscow. The annexation was ratified two days later by a treaty signed by President Putin.

Since 2014, many critics of Russia have been arrested there.

Of the two million inhabitants of Crimea, 59% are Russian, 24% Ukrainian and 12% Tatar.

By conquering Crimea – which represents 4.5% of Ukrainian territory – Russia also regained the great port of Sevastopol, where it has based its war fleet since the 18th century, and which gives it an outlet to the Black Sea and from there to Mediterranean and the Middle East.

As of May 2018, the peninsula is connected to mainland Russia via the 19 km long Kerch Bridge.

Crimea, used as a logistics base by Russia and located far from the fightinghas been hit since August by several explosions at military airfields and ammunition depots.

Ukraine later admitted to carrying out the attacks.