The situation geopolitically seems pretty simple, in broad strokes. Too bad there's unfounded scaremongering on both sides(or should I say 3 or 4 sides).
I'm curious as to what your take on this is then though ...
which just happens to be the worst violation of
territorial integrity in Europe since WWII
Additionally the Kosovo constitution offered room for secession and it's secession was consequently recognized by the vast majority of the international community.
The votes on the UN council as to the legality of Russia's actions [1] say enough, but Huffinton Post wrote a fairly comprehensive article [2] about the topic.
P.S. If you plan to link to the RT counter-piece [3] just let me know and I'll list all the factual inaccuracies for you.
[1] http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/u...
[2] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-phillips/crimea-is-not...
[3] http://rt.com/news/kosovo-crimea-referendum-recognition-441/
I think you're somewhat over-exaggerating the situation. Yes, Russia has not been the most subtle in taking over Crimea, but I can say without a doubt that any of the major superpowers would do the same if a country nearby were to experience a coup d'etat. Especially if that country was strategically important.
While not technically legal, Crimea really is mostly comprised of Russians and has had a special legal status for ages. A 97% vote does not surprise me. Russians in other eastern european countries also reminisce of the "good old times".
I think much of the backlash is due to Russia being projected as the stereotypical evil commie.
I really don't want to venture into conspiracy theory territory, since that would probably hurt my credibility, but I would not be surprised to see the EU and US behind this as a means of trying to cut Russia off from the outside world(after inviting Ukraine into the EU failed). Don't forget the opposition has strong ties with the U.S.
This might be of interest to you. http://www.globalresearch.ca/ukraine-protests-carefully-orch...
Globalresearch is a credible think tank.
There is no way in hell 97% of the population voted in favor with 80+% turnout; especially given that 30+% of the population is Tatar or Ukrainian. Based on leaked reports to the Kremlin the real turnout is estimated at a bit over 30%.
Regardless; the referendum was literally held at gunpoint after all Ukrainian news had been shut off and Russian television showed massive fascists uprising and murder in Kiev, which heavily scared the population and did make a large portion of the population believe they were being rescued.
Thus, even if the results were true, it still would not have been a valid referendum.
As for the protests, based on direct sources from real people the protests were organize by just that: real everyday people.
Once again though; the regime was not overthrown by the protesters, but by Yanukovich losing moral authority after ordering shooting of civilians.
If you want to argue the snipers were also a false flag operation then you'd indeed be well into conspiracy nut territory; but I can also point you to videos of Ukrainian snipers assembling if you want.
Global Research also doesn't have that good of a reputation. In [1] it explicitly mentions one of it's main reality warping effects comes from a heavy reliance on Russia Today material.
