Crimea: Ukraine Undone

April 07, 2014 | Pulitzer Center

Dimiter Kenarov

Pro-Russian demonstrators carrying the Russian flag pass by a column of Cossack guards during a rally in Simferopol on March 9, 2014. They support the unification of Crimea with Russia. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

A newscaster from the independent local TV station ATR is seen inside the studio. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

Journalists from the only independent local TV station, ATR, are seen inside the headquarters of the station while on duty on March 11, 2014, in Simferopol, Crimea. The ATR has continued to operate in relative freedom on the territory of Crimea after the internationally unrecognized referendum that took place on March 16, 2014. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

ATR correspondent of the channel Zarrina Vaapova had green paint thrown on her during one of her live broadcasts. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

Standing in front of the Lenin statue, pro-Russian demonstrators hold signs that say: "No to the Fascism," "Referendum for Crimea," "Watch the Crimean TV channel TRK, everyone else is lying," "NATO keep your hands off Crimea," "Thank you Putin," "Yes to the Russian language" and "Putin thank you for the stability in Crimea." Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

An unidentified man dressed in military uniform, believed to be a Russian serviceman, is filming Crimean Tatars during their peaceful pro-Ukrainian protest in front of a Ukrainian military base, which is surrounded by pro-Russian self-defense units. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

Unidentified men in military uniforms in front of the base of the Ukrainian Navy's coast guards. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

In front of the base of the Ukrainian Navy's coast guards. Ukraine is not a NATO member, but has had a "partnership" with the alliance since 1997. On April 1, 2014, it was announced that Ukraine will have joint ground operations with Romania and Moldova, as well as additional maneuvers with Poland, a NATO member country. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

Unidentified military men, believed to be Russian servicemen, are seen in front of a convoy of military trucks, located near the base of the Ukrainian Navy's coastal guards. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

People look through a bus window during a rally in Simferopol. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

A young man holds a poster during a rally of Crimean Tatars. Image by Boryana Katsarova. Crimea, 2014.

Crimea is undergoing another historical transformation. Following the bloody revolution in Kiev in February of 2014, Russian troops and pro-Russian groups have occupied Crimea by force, and in March 2014, with Moscow's blessing, a referendum was held in which voters overwhelmingly approved secession from Ukraine.

Though Russians constitute the majority, there are also sizable populations of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, who oppose Russia’s expansionist policies. Ethnic divisions that seemed to have little importance have now turned into rifts, often dividing neighbors and communities. Photojournalist and Pulitzer Center grantee Boryana Katsarova documents the turbulent times.