Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has spent the last decade attempting to establish energy independence. However, this independence is fundamentally reliant on natural gas originating from Ukraine, despite Russian efforts to portray otherwise. Reports indicate the infrastructure built to support this “independence” has created a dependency, rather than autonomy, for the peninsula. Ukraine retains the capacity to interrupt this gas supply, potentially impacting Crimea’s energy security. This situation highlights the complex and ongoing energy ties between Ukraine and the occupied territory. The investment in Crimean energy infrastructure has, therefore, inadvertently created a vulnerability for Russia. The long-term sustainability of Crimea’s energy supply remains questionable given this reliance.