DISINFO: Crimea rejoined Russia in democratic referendum
SUMMARY
Crimea reunified with Russia in 2014 following a successful referendum on the matter in the peninsula. While Western countries and Kiev have not recognised Crimea’s new status and accused Moscow of meddling in Ukraine’s affairs, Moscow has denied any interference claims and insisted that the referendum was carried out in line with international law.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea. No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced 27th of February and held less than three weeks later. On March 27th, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. The oft-cited figure of 97% has been contested by the Kremlin’s own Human Rights Council, which estimated that only between 30% and 50% of Crimeans took part in the referendum, of which some 50-60% favoured secession. See here for the EU statement on the fifth anniversary of Crimea annexation.