PART 1 THE OCCUPATION OF CRIMEA: CHRONICLE OF SEIZURE Pictured: ‘Live chain’ in the support of integrity of Ukraine along the Crimean roads, March 14, 2014 March 16 was in fact not a day when Crimeans chose and determined their future, as Russia leaders have sought to convince the world. Indeed, prior to this date, the territory of ARC and independent Ukraine had already been occupied by the Rus- sian Federation and its military. 16