Russians in Crimea

Pro-Russian opinion in territory

Sir, – Gerard Toal in his article “Ukraine risks being locked into endless war in bid for perfect peace” (Opinion, November 3rd) suggests that Ukraine should drop its aim of winning back Crimea “as most Crimeans see themselves as Russians”.

Hard evidence as to the extent of pro-Russian opinion in that territory is bound to be scant. However, prior to the 2014 seizing of that territory by Russia, the number of Crimean residents who considered Ukraine their motherland was 71 per cent in 2011 according to a survey by the non-governmental Razumkov Centre.

– Yours, etc,

MALCOLM FITZELL

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Shankill,

Dublin 18.