The Crimean Conflict refers to a geo-political dispute regarding the autonomous southern Ukrainian Peninsula of the same name. Historically, post-Cold War political tensions in Ukraine revolved around Ukrainian and Russian sympathies; these are the two major ethnic groups and are divided into northern and southern regions respectively. Most recently, anti-Russian activism in the North led to widespread violent uprisings against Russian sympathizing politicians. In response to these uprisings, paramilitary forces bearing a strong resemblance to Russian forces surrounded Ukrainian military posts of Crimea in the early morning hours of March 1, 2014. The Ukrainian interim leadership received public support from the United States the same day.

Crimea is bordered on three sides by the Black Sea and by virtue, presents a economic and military vantage point. It was ceded to Ukraine by Russia at the end of the Soviet Era as reparations following 300 years of Russian rule, briefly interrupted by the Crimean War of the 1850s.

Throughout the peninsula, ethnic Russians comprise nearly 60% of the population. On March 17, 2014, the regional government held a referendum in which over 95% of the native population voted to join the Russian Federation. A treaty on March 18, 2014 incorporated Crimea into Russia. The United Nations has refused to recognize the referendum.