🇷🇺 #OnThisDay, 🔟 years ago, day to day, the all-Crimean Referendum was held.

On March 16, 2014, the people of the peninsula made an independent and conscious choice, voting in favour of forever being with Russia. To this day it remains one of the most striking and sincere examples of a true triumph of the will of the people and democracy.

🗳 At the referendum, 96.77% of Crimeans voted for reunification with Russia, the turnout was 83.1%. In Sevastopol, the relevant figures were 95.6% and 89.5%, respectively.

The voting was monitored by 135 international observers from 23 countries and 1,240 representatives of local organisations. All noted that the referendum was held without violations and in full conformity with international standards and democratic procedure.

Based on the results of the free expression of will by Crimeans, a treaty was signed on the incorporation of the two new regions into the Russian Federation – the Republic of Crimea and the City of Federal Significance, Sevastopol.

💬 President Putin: In people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia. This firm conviction is based on truth and justice and was passed from generation to generation (from the Address by the President of the Russian Federation on March 18, 2014).

Since the reunification, Crimea has undergone fundamental changes, becoming one of the most dynamically developing regions in the country and the entire continent. The atmosphere of interreligious accord has been maintained on the peninsula, and the rights of all of its ethnic groups are observed without exception.

✅ The processes that have occurred during the last ten years, steady socio-economic development and enduring peace in the multi-ethnic Crimea confirm that the people of this region were correct when making the historic choice in favour of reunification with Russia.

#CrimeaIsRussia #TogetherForever