Crimea

Basics
In 2014 the Crimean Peninsula became part of the Russian Federation. It's now part of the Russian numbering plan and under surveillance of the Russian regulator.

''This process is still seen very differently by various groups. Some see it as an annexion or occupation, other as a separation built on a referendum of the population. Please understand: This is not a forum to take sides or state your personal political point of view about it. The Ukraine chapter was frequently changed one or the other way. Just acknowledge that the fact, that Russian authorities are now governing the area is simply described here without any reference about it's legality or not. Describing this fact doesn't mean it is approved or disapproved in any way. ''

''Any perspective faces this dilemma: Should the Crimean Peninsula be integrated into the Russian article, as it's effectively now administrated by Russia? Or should the perspective of the UN and the majority of countries be maintained that consider the Crimean Peninsula still a part of the Ukraine? ''

''As this can't be solved, it was decided to take the Crimean Peninsula out of the Ukraine chapter to take reality into account, again not to give any statement about its legality. It gets an own chapter now like we do for many special territories. This can be justified as special operators, that are attached to Russia now operate here, that still want to be dissocciated from their Russian counterparts because of legal issues.  ''

In 2014 the Crimean Peninsula became part of the Russian Federation. The three major Ukrainian networks ceased their operations there and left the area at the end of 2014, even two of them are Russian-owned. But they fear the international boycott, if they are going to stay directly involved in this region. That's the reason why not one of the regular Russian operators have openly taken over business here. But generally, the Crimean Peninsula has being integrated into the Russian phone system with a major mobile Russian provider operating under a different brand name.

Two new regional operators were appointed by the Russian regulator, but deployment has been slowed down because of the boycott, so that only one is operative at the moment: Note, that there is no calling or texting to the Ukraine from the Crimea right now. Also no roaming of any Ukrainian provider in the Crimea.
 * Win Mobile (by K-Telecom, on the air)
 * [Crimeatelecom (planned, but not yet working)]

Win Mobile (by K-Telecom) Edit
After MTS left the region, Win Mobile took over in 2014 and started to provide a 2G-only network on 900 and 1800 MHz. In summer 2015 they started 3G on 2100 MHz in a few places (2G 3G coverage map). They also have licenses for 4G/LTE on 800 and 2600 MHz and started with LTE in the city of Simferopol according to the Russian Ministry of Communication in 2016.

Their regular prepaid SIM card called "Свобода общения" (Freedom of Communication) can be bought in their stores (list in Russian). Default rate is 10 Rub. per MB and these two data bundles can be added: For their 3G launch, they have introduced the new data-focused tariff line called "Форсаж" (Fast and Furious) containing 5 GB data per month and 5 GB additional night traffic (valid 1am-7am) for 400 Rub.
 * Online Freedom: 50 MB per day: 3 Rub., activation: *809#, deactivation: *792#
 * Online month: 1.5 GB per month: 150 Rub., activation: *806#, deactivation: *798#

Note, that data can be used on roaming all over the Russian Federation (on MTS network) on the default rate. Calls or texts to the Ukraine are not possible. Win Mobile seems to be connected to MTS Russia as SIM cards from MTS Krasnodar and Win Mobile can be used identically.
 * APN: internet
 * Website in Russian: http://www.mobile-win.ru/

Crimeatelecom (not in operation yet) Edit
This new mobile provider controls some of the landline communication as it's building a link from Russia to the Crimea by a fibre optic cable. In the mobile sector, they received assets of 3mob, Kyivstar and life:-) that have been nationalized. In summer 2015 they were awarded licenses by the Russian regulator for a 2G and 3G network in the region, but they have not started yet with operations as supplies and deployment are blocked by sanctions.