The annexation of the Crimean region to the Russian empire: historical and legal aspects

The article carries out historical and legal assessment of the annexation of the Crimean territory to the Russian Empire. It describes the situation in the Crimea in the T d half of XVIII century. The author considers the two solutions of the Crimean problem proposed by Chancellor M.I. Vorontsov and the course of events in 1762-1774. Particular attention is paid to the "Declaration on the separation of the Crimea from Turkey" and "Union Treaty" between Russia and the Crimea signed in 1772 long before the official date of accession of the peninsula to Russia (1783), and the start of de jure integration of the Crimean region and Russia.