Over 350,000 Russians Mark Crimea Reunification Anniversary

On March 18, 356,000 people are taking part in around 140 celebrations, marking a year since Crimea's reunification with Russia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Some 365,000 people across Russia take part in events marking a year since Crimea rejoined Russia following the March 2014 referendum, according to the Interior Ministry.

"On March 18 around 140 events will be held throughout the country, around 356,000 people plan to take part," the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Crimea's Black Sea port of Sevastopol was the focal point of the celebrations after 95 percent of the city's residents voted to join Russia last year.

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Rally to mark anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia

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Rally to mark anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia

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A rally and concert on Vasilyevsky Slope, Moscow to mark the anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.

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A rally and concert on Vasilyevsky Slope, Moscow to mark the anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.

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Fireworks in Simferopol to celebrate the first anniversary of the Crimean Spring.

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Rally to mark anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia

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© Sputnik / Alexander Kryazhev

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Rally to mark anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia

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© Sputnik / Mikhail Voskresenskiy

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A rally and concert on Vasilyevsky Slope, Moscow to mark the anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.

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© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

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A rally and concert on Vasilyevsky Slope, Moscow to mark the anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.

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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov

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Fireworks in Simferopol to celebrate the first anniversary of the Crimean Spring.

More than 96 percent of the voters in the rest of Crimea also said yes, paving the way for the peninsula to rejoin Russia after being part of Ukraine for 60 years.

Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok was the first to hold a parade as 16,000 people marched through the city, according to the city hall figures.

More festivities, including concerts, are scheduled for Wednesday evening across Siberia and European Russia, including St. Petersburg and the Chechen Republic's Grozny.

Tens of thousands of people have already started gathering in central Moscow to mark the historic event.

Pop singers and other public figures are due to star at a show next to the Kremlin walls, titled "We are Together!"