Active conflict Annexation Eastern Europe

Crimea

Крим·Крым·Qırım

Also: Crimean Peninsula, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol

Russia controls since 2014 · claimed by Ukraine · UNGA 68/262 affirmed Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Controlled by
Russia
Since
18 Mar 2014
Area
27,000 km²
Population
≈ 2,400,0002014
Intensity
War
Last verified
6 Oct 2026

Hatched area marks the dispute, coloured by its status; other markers are the other disputes in the atlas.

Who is involved

Each party's position is given in its own framing, one sentence.

Ukraine

Claimant

“Integral part of Ukraine, temporarily occupied since 2014.”

Claim rests on
  • 1954 transfer to the Ukrainian SSR
  • 1991 borders recognised at independence
  • 1994 Budapest Memorandum assurances

Russia

ClaimantControls

“Federal subjects of Russia (Republic of Crimea and federal city of Sevastopol) since March 2014.”

Claim rests on
  • March 2014 referendum
  • Historical incorporation into the Russian Empire (1783)

Crimean Tatars (Mejlis)

Self-determination movement

“Indigenous people of Crimea; Mejlis rejects the annexation.”

Who controls it

Russia controls it since 18 Mar 2014 · claimed by Ukraine.

  • RUSSIA 100%

Phases of control

Plain grey phases were not disputed in the modern sense; colour marks a phase with a claim against it.

14412026
  1. 1441 – 1783 Crimean Khanate (Ottoman vassal from 1475) Controlled by Crimean Khanate
  2. 1783 – 1917 Annexed by the Russian Empire Controlled by Russian Empire
  3. 1921 – 1954 Crimean ASSR, later oblast of the RSFSR Controlled by RSFSR (USSR)
  4. 1954 – 1991 Transferred to the Ukrainian SSR Controlled by Ukrainian SSR (USSR)
  5. 1991 – 2014 Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine Controlled by Ukraine
  6. 2014 – present Annexed by Russia; claimed by Ukraine Controlled by Russia · claimed by Ukraine Active conflict

Key events

  1. Russian Empire annexes the Crimean Khanate
  2. Crimea transferred from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR
  3. Referendum held under Russian military control
  4. Russia signs treaty incorporating Crimea and Sevastopol
  5. UNGA Resolution 68/262 affirms Ukraine's territorial integrity
  6. Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine launched partly from Crimea

What the world says

The UN General Assembly affirmed Ukraine's territorial integrity; only a small number of states recognise Russian sovereignty.

  • UNGA resolution · 27 Mar 2014 A/RES/68/262
    For 100Against 11Abstain 58

Current situation

As of Sep 2026 · re-verified every 30 days

Crimea remains under Russian control. Russia holds roughly a fifth of Ukraine in total; US-mediated talks in 2026 produced only short truces, with territory the main sticking point.

Related

Donbas Zaporizhzhia KhersonHistory of Russia ↗

Sources

Last verified 6 Oct 2026. Records of live disputes are re-checked every 30 days, others every 12 months. How we map disputes →