Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, an illegitimate referendum was held. People were given no option but to reject their then Western-style Ukrainian government. br br While it was claimed that 97 of people voted in favour of a return to Russia following the country's departure in 1954, all was not what it seemed even on the day of the referendum result. br br Eight years on, Vladimir Putin used Crimea as a launching pad for Russia's invasion of the whole of Ukraine. Report by Guinnesse.