Crimea

Crimean Tatars speak after the prayer in a Mosque marking the Eid al-Adha, celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Bakhchisarai, Crimea, on Sat. Oct. 4, 2014.

7 years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, Indigenous Tatars still face persecution

Ayla Bakkalli, the representative for Crimean Tatars at the United Nations, spoke to The World’s Marco Werman about what it has been like for Tatars to live under Russian occupation for the past seven years.

7 years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, Indigenous Tatars still face persecution
An aerial view shows a road-and-rail bridge

Is Russia’s new bridge to Crimea ‘primarily an image project’?

Is Russia’s new bridge to Crimea ‘primarily an image project’?
The Apple logo.

How do maps handle disputed borders?

How do maps handle disputed borders?
Tourists on the beach in Yalta, a Crimean resort.

Russians flock to their 'little bit of paradise' in Crimea — and back its annexation

Russians flock to their 'little bit of paradise' in Crimea — and back its annexation
The Russian flag being hoisted over a Ukrainian naval facility in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, after the base was forcefully occupied, Wednesday.

Here's the argument for why Crimea's secession was against international law

Here's the argument for why Crimea's secession was against international law
Sergei Aksyonov, Crimea's pro-Russian prime minister, stands as a member of a pro-Russian self defense unit takes an oath to Crimea government in Simferopol on March 10, 2014. Russian forces consolidated their hold on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula on Monday,

Meet the paramilitary leader who claims to be running Crimea

The self-declared prime minister of Crime is a wrestler, once sold umbrellas and cigarettes, and is accused of having worked for the mafia. In the last month, he organized a pro-Russian paramilitary force that quickly took charge when Russian forces intervened in Crimea.

Meet the paramilitary leader who claims to be running Crimea

Crimea has long held a special place in culture and imagination

The Russian move into Ukraine has surely put the Crimean peninsula in the media spotlight. But Crimea's also a place that's embedded in Russian popular culture and art. It's a place that has filled the imagination of artists, poets and writers for centuries.

Crimea has long held a special place in culture and imagination
Crimean Tatars demonstrate to keep Crimea part of Ukraine. They're holding yellow and blue balloons, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

For Crimean Tatars, the Ukraine-Russia standoff is full of risk

The Crimean Tatars are just a small slice of Crimea's population, but their voices could make a difference in the Russia-Ukraine standoff. And Russia is courting them hard.

For Crimean Tatars, the Ukraine-Russia standoff is full of risk
A group of Russia supporters outside the entrance to the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Sevastopol. They say they see Crimea's future with Russia, not Ukraine.

Putin claims that 'volunteers' are surrounding Ukrainian bases in Crimea

Despite Putin's claims to the contrary today, Russian soldiers in unmarked uniforms and vehicles are blocking Ukrainian bases in Crimea and demanding that Ukrainian soldiers hand over their weapons. And for the people, Russian passports are available for the asking.

Putin claims that 'volunteers' are surrounding Ukrainian bases in Crimea
Protestors in the Crimean city of Simferopol come out support of the new government in Kiev.

Russian troops are stirring ethnic tensions that could tear Crimea apart

Masked Russian troops have moved into Crimea, with unmarked uniforms and heavy arms. Some of the residents cheer them, while others fear them. And they may be the undoing of the delicate ethnic balance in Crimea.

Russian troops are stirring ethnic tensions that could tear Crimea apart