The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is internationally viewed as an autonomous republic of Ukraine, located in the Crimean Peninsula. It is currently subject to a territorial dispute between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which administers the territory as a federal subject, namely the Republic of Crimea. It has a population of 1,965,177. Almost the entire Crimean Peninsula has been outside the control of Ukrainian authorities since late February 2014, when Russian special forces and pro-Russian separatists occupied the region. In March 2014, a popular referendum in support of reunification with Russia was held in Crimea and Sevastopol, although the vote was disavowed by Ukraine and did not enjoy widespread international recognition. Within days, Russia absorbed the peninsula, although Ukraine continues to claim Crimea as an integral part of its territory. Under Ukrainian law, Crimea is considered an autonomous parliamentary republic within Ukraine, which is governed by the Constitution of Crimea in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. The capital of the autonomous republic is the city of Simferopol, located in the center of the peninsula.