Crimea and Ukraine

On March 14, the population of Crimea voted to separate from Ukraine and join Russia. The Russian parliament then drafted a law that allowed the annexation of Crimea, and troops were sent into the region to protect the newly proclaimed Russian territory. The US and Ukraine have condemned the vote and annexation as illegal, but Ukraine has pulled its armed forces out of the region, and Russian forces now hold the peninsula.

The US Department of State says to defer all nonessential travel to the Crimean Peninsula and to Ukraine’s eastern regions of Kharkiv, Donetsk and Lugansk. The potential exists for violence between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian groups. Since Feb. 27, demonstrations and clashes have occurred in several cities in Ukraine, some resulting in deaths and injuries. Also, groups wanting closer ties to Russia have taken on a more strident anti-American tone, especially in Crimea.

In Kyiv, travelers should keep away from downtown areas near Independence Square and government buildings, and they should be prepared to remain indoors for extended periods of time should clashes occur in their vicinity.

Flights at Simferopol airport have been restricted to those to or from Moscow. Ukraine International Airlines and Turkish Airlines have halted service to Crimea. The cruise lines Azamara, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Windstar and MSC have canceled Black Sea port calls in Crimea.