Provocation of national extremists of 2004 in Simferopol and its influence on an interethnic situation in Crimea

The article is devoted to the study of the history of the preparation, conduct and consequences of a provocation aimed at undermining interethnic consent, organized by the so-called "Majlis" in Simferopol March 23, 2004.The reasons of artificial forcing of interethnic tension in Crimea are opened with the structure which did not have any legal status for the lifetime. An analysis of the evolution of the actions of the “majlis” from declarative peace to violence against citizens was made. It was concluded that the policy of official Kiev to “pacify” the “majlis” suffered a final collapse in 2004, while the Crimean social and political forces were able to overcome the narrow party disagreement and condemn the actions of extremists. After the provocation of 2004, the Crimean society realized the threat to the security of people emanating from the “majlis”.