In March 2014, Crimea held a controversial referendum in which residents were asked to decide on the peninsula's status regarding Ukraine and Russia. Following the ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Russia increased its military presence in Crimea, a region with a significant population of ethnic Russians. On March 16, the Crimean parliament declared independence and conducted a vote that allegedly drew a turnout of over 80% with around 95% in favor of joining Russia, as reported by local authorities. However, the process was heavily criticized for lacking transparency and fairness. The referendum took place under the watchful eye of armed soldiers, further complicating its legitimacy. Ukraine's central government did not recognize the vote, claiming it violated their constitution, while Western nations denounced the referendum as illegal and imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Crimea.The event's backdrop included the larger context of Ukraine's political crisis and Russia’s strategic interests in the region. Crimea, with its historical ties to Russia and naval significance, particularly the presence of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, made it a focal point for Russia. Following the vote, Russia formally annexed Crimea, which led to heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine and stirred international crises. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict were largely unsuccessful, pushing the two nations towards a prolonged confrontation, with repercussions that have influenced regional and global geopolitics.