11 years since the reunification of Crimea with Russia: history, events, Putin's landmark speech

March 18, 2025 marks the 11th anniversary of the reunification of the Crimean Peninsula with Russia. On this day in 2014, President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement between Russia and the Republic of Crimea on the peninsula's entry into the Russian Federation as an equal entity. This important historical event changed the lives of Crimeans, who supported the annexation by a majority vote. For more information about how the holiday originated, what events preceded it, and how the anniversary of the reunification of Crimea with Russia will be celebrated in 2025, see Izvestia.

The day of the reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2025: the history of the holiday

The Crimean peninsula and the federal city of Sevastopol became part of Russia after a referendum held on March 16, 2014, in which the majority of residents voted in favor of joining the country. This was preceded by an escalation of the conflict between the population of Crimea and the then-current Ukrainian government, which became particularly sensitive in February 2014 after the coup in Kiev. For a long time, the majority of Crimeans expressed a desire to return to Russia, and the crisis of the Ukrainian government led to numerous rallies on the peninsula. As a result, it was decided to determine the fate of Crimea in a referendum.

On March 6, 2014, the Supreme Council of Crimea appealed to Vladimir Putin with a request to include the republic in the Russian Federation, and a week later, on March 11, the Supreme Council of Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, which later led to the process of reunification of the peninsula with Russia.

The referendum on reunification with Russia was held on March 16, and 96.77% of Crimeans and 95.6% of Sevastopol residents supported this decision.

On March 18, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Crimea and Sevastopol signed an agreement on the incorporation of these two regions into the Russian Federation. According to the document, all residents of the peninsula were recognized as citizens of the Russian Federation if they did not write a statement stating that they wanted to retain Ukrainian citizenship. This long-awaited event was popularly known as the Crimean Spring.

On February 27, 2015, the Crimean State Council amended the law "On Holidays and Commemorations of the Republic of Crimea", establishing that March 18 becomes an official holiday, a day off and will be celebrated annually as Reunification Day.

The day of the reunification of Crimea with Russia: the history and Putin's speech on March 18

For the first time, the Crimean Peninsula was annexed to the Russian Empire by Catherine II back in 1783. A base for the ships of the future Black Sea Fleet has been deployed here. The outstanding commander Alexander Suvorov led the creation of the first fortifications.

During the Crimean War of 1853-1856, some of the territories were ceded to the Ottoman Empire, but eventually they were returned to Russia. Sevastopol played a key role in this conflict, withstanding the famous long siege.

In the 20th century, with the end of the Civil War, the Autonomous Crimean Soviet Socialist Republic was formed on the territory, which became part of the RSFSR. During the Great Patriotic War, the peninsula was attacked by Wehrmacht forces in the early hours, the defense of Sevastopol lasted 250 days, but as a result, the territory was partially occupied. They managed to free themselves from the onslaught of the Germans only on May 12, 1944.

In 1954, by decree of Secretary General Nikita Khrushchev, the Crimean region and Sevastopol (at that time the territory of the peninsula was called that way) were transferred from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the peninsula was ceded to Ukraine. In March 2024, a bill was submitted to the State Duma on the invalidity of the transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR, it is under consideration.

Crimea and Sevastopol returned to the Russian Federation only at the end of March 2014. In his solemn address on March 18, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the Crimean Peninsula has long been considered the most important region of Russia, and this is due to the course of history. "In people's minds, Crimea has always been and remains an integral part of Russia. This conviction, based on truth and justice, was unshakeable, passed down from generation to generation, both time and circumstances were powerless before it, all the dramatic changes that our country experienced during the twentieth century were powerless," the president said.

The head of state also noted that Crimea is an important strategic territory for which it is important to be under strong, stable sovereignty, which in fact can only be Russian.

School events and concerts on the Day of the Reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2025

The day of Crimea's incorporation into Russia is celebrated throughout the country with festive rallies, concerts, flash mobs, mass celebrations and other events.

March 18 is a public holiday on the territory of the Republic of Crimea. They try to arrange festive events in all major cities. Concert venues are set up in the central squares, fairs and exhibitions are organized. In Simferopol, flowers are laid at the monument to the "People's Militia of All Times" on this day. A mass car rally to Sevastopol starts from here. The festive program is also held in the south of the peninsula, in Feodosia and Yalta.

Moscow is also celebrating the reunification of Crimea with Russia. On March 16, the Victory Museum hosted a concert dedicated to the anniversary of this event, and on March 18, an online screening of Alexander Khanzhonkov and Vasily Goncharov's film The Defense of Sevastopol, shot in 1911, is scheduled.

An interactive fair will be held in the Crimean capital on the Day of the Reunification of Crimea with Russia. The event will take place on March 22 in Yuri Gagarin Park. Master classes, photo zones, quizzes, sports games, soap bubble shows and much more are waiting for the guests of the event.

This memorable event will also be celebrated in Russian schools. Teachers will conduct a class hour "Conversations about important things" dedicated to the reunification of Crimea with Russia and the 100th anniversary of the legendary Artek children's camp. at which students will be reminded of the key moments in the history of the reunification of Crimea and Russia. Many schools also organize festive concerts and themed exhibitions of children's drawings.