998) Russia Celebrates the "Return" of Crimea to Russia in 2014, by issuing a circulation 5 Ruble Coin in 2019:

998) Russia Celebrates the "Return" of Crimea to Russia in 2014, by issuing a circulation 5 Ruble Coin in 2019:

In 2014, Russia had annexed the Crimean Peninsula, in what was viewed all over the world as a move which stood in violation of International Law protecting Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea from Ukraine followed a Russian military intervention in Crimea in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainiam Revolution. The annexation of the Crimean Peninsula was condemned by Kyiv and WEstern countries as illegal.

The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by the Russian Federation from 20/Feb. to 26/Mar 2014, and since then it has been administered as two Russian federal subjects - the Republic of Crimea and the Federal City of Sevastopol.

A referendum, which was deemed as unconstitutional by the Ukrainian Constitutional Court on the Reunification with Russia, found most voters in favour of joining Russia has been the subject matter of dispute.

Commemorative Coins issued by Russia:

Since the controversial annexation, Russia has issued several circulating commemorative coins and Banknotes "praising itself" for the controversial annexation.

Only one year after Russian separatists took over , Russia's Central Bank had issued a 200 Ruble Banknote in 2015 to "reflect the desire of the people of Russia to see their symbols on the new Banknote", which had a Crimean theme chosen by popular demand online.

Russia's Central Bank has now issued a new  5 Ruble Circulation Coin featuring the Crimea or Kerch Strait Bridge to commemorate Crimea's "reunification with Russia".

The Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Ruble Circulation Coin presented against the background of the Kerch Strait Bridge

On the Obverse of the 5 Ruble Coin issued in 2019, is seen the year of issue "2019", the denomination of the coin "5 RUBLES" and stylised images of plant branches.

On the Reverse of the 5 Ruble Coin are seen the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting the Russian mainland to Crimea against a background of a stylised map of the Crimean Peninsula and expanding rays.

The specifications of this 5 Ruble Coin are:

Denomination: 5 Ruble; Metal Composition: Nickel-plated Steel; Weight: 6.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 25.0 mm; Minted by: Central Bank of Russia; Mintage: 20,00,000 (or 2.0 million).

The Kerch Strait Bridge: This bridge was completed in 2018, and has been a scene of division. At 19.0 kilometres (or 12.0 miles) long, the bridge over the Kerch Strait is considered the longest in Europe, overtaking the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, Portugal. spanning a rough stretch of water previously only serviced by ferry. The project cost 228 billion rubles and was finished six months ahead of schedule in 05/2018.

                       The Crimean or the Kerch Bridge

The peninsula used to be quite difficult to access and food was shipped in and long queues would form for the car-ferries to collect food supplies. Also, long from Southern Russia, long queues of vehicles would  trying to board the ferries, which were not always able to run during winter storms, leaving flying as the easiest mode of transport until this bridge was opened to the general public.

The Crimean Bridge links the Southern Krasnodar Region with the Crimean city of Kerch and spans across a stretch of water between the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.

A bone of contention:

Ukraine has criticised the project, by holding that the construction has damaged the environment and that larger ships will be unable to get through to itsports on the Azov Sea. Ukraine regards the stretch between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as a vital route for Ukrainian industry and has protested that Ukrainian shipping was seized and not allowed to proceed to their destination by the Russian Navy.

Links to posts on Russian Coins, Banknotes and stamps:

1) A 100 Rouble Banknote issued by Russia to commemorate the XXII Winter Olympics - (07-23 February 2014) held at Sochi, Russia

2) Commemorative Coins issued when the 1980 22nd Summer Olympics were held in Moscow (19.07.1980 to 03.08.1980)

3) 2018 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup being held in Russia between 14.06.2018 &15.07.2018: Some Coins and stamps issued by Russia, Australia, Hungary, Spain & France to commemorate the Tournament/Championship

4) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020

5) Russia celebrates the "Return" Of Crimea to Russia in 2014, by issuing a circulation 5 Ruble Coin in 2019