230 Years Ago, Catherine II Issued a Manifesto Declaring Crimea's Annexation to Russia3 photos

Grigory Potemkin, recognizing all the benefits of annexing Crimea to Russia, expressed his views in a letter to Catherine II:

«Crimea, with its location, breaks our borders.
Now imagine that Crimea belongs to you, and that this ‘boarthood on your nose’ is gone— Suddenly, the border situation becomes perfect: along the Bug River, the Turks border us directly, so they must deal with us directly, not through intermediaries. You have a duty to enhance Russia’s reputation.».

As a result, on April 8, 1783, Catherine II issued a manifesto declaring Crimea's annexation to Russia. This document, prepared by Prince Potemkin, promised Crimean residents that "we will sacredly and unswervingly protect them and their successors to the throne as equal to our own natural subjects, safeguarding their lives, property, churches, and their inherent faith.

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For many years during the struggle for the Crimea Peninsula, Russia’s main rival was Turkey, which kept Crimea in a vassal state.

At that time, the last Crimean Khan renounced his throne and sought refuge under Russian protection. As a result, the Turkish-speaking Tatar elite, who were hostile to Russia, fled to Turkey. The peninsula then fell into economic and political chaos, which facilitated Russia’s peaceful annexation of Crimea.