Russia's War Against Ukraine
Olena Makarenko: Two years after Russia’s takeover, no ‘Crimean Spring’
Teenagers attend a rally marking the second anniversary of Crimea voting to leave Ukraine and join the Russian state in central Simferopol on March 16.
They’re calling it the “Crimean Spring.” These are the several celebratory events that are being held in occupied Crimea and in Russia from March 15 to March 18. The celebrations are to commemorate what most of the world recognizes as a criminal referendum which took place in Crimea on 16th of March, 2014. The referendum, conducted virtually at gunpoint as Russia’s armed troops were visible at every polling station, were announced the following day. That is the day that Russian occupation officially began. We take a look at Crimea today, two years into occupation, to see what it is Crimea and Russia have to celebrate.
