Crimeans Celebrate Anniversary of Annexation With Fireworks Display

Thousands came out to celebrate the first anniversary of the annexation of the Crimean peninsula on Monday, March 16. Crimea, which houses an important Russian naval base, was absorbed by Russia only a few weeks after the overthrow of the Ukrainian government in 2014. The annexation followed a controversial referendum which saw over 90 per cent of the population favor Moscow rule.

This video shows the fireworks display in Simferopol’s Lenin Square on Monday evening. Credit: Instagram/tanunya