I understand what you are saying and I hadn't considered the risk that I might take ill, or get in some other trouble, for example get robbed. This was mainly speculative though - I wasn't planning any immediate journey, just pondering it. It was prompted by some old pictures that I came across of Gagra, and I thought: "Wow that's really charming, I wonder what it's like now?" And it reminded me of Transnistria.

Sounds like Crimea is the place to go! I'd really love to and it's on my list of places to visit sometime soon.

But it would be an extremely strong political marking, from a European perspective. If I went to Crimea and told people, the reaction would be something like "you are a lackey of Putin and support Russia's invasion of Ukraine - you should be ashamed of yourself". Of course, I know that is not the truth, just a very skewed opinion. But that's the climate now.

My sister's husband for example, has a senior defense-related job. Since the Ukraine crisis kicked off he has become extremely anti-Russia. He has a Twitter account in his official position and is constantly tweeting negative stuff about Russia, in relation to his area of expertise. He's developed quite a following online. Possibly good for his career, or maybe he just became a fanatic. It's really infuriating. Talking about a trip to Crimea at Christmas dinner with him could really spice things up, and might lead to me not being invited to their guest cottage anymore.... Even my dad who can speak reasonable Russian and has always been very pragmatic about Russia/USSR has been taken in by the hype. And my best friend wast totally shocked about my trip when I stayed for quite a long time in Belarus. After all it's "the last dictatorship in Europe" and she totally believed it.

I'd ignore the criticism either way, but that's the reality of the situation - and it IS controversial!
I am not doubting the opinion of the Crimeans, but Russia did act in a very opportunistic way to get back it's crown jewel.

Because of the relentless propaganda: Expressing sympathy for Russia nowadays is just a few notches below expressing sympathy for ISIS in the eyes of many Europeans. After all "Putin shot down a plane of innocient people". That's how effective the propaganda has been.

I have a strong feeling that the EU cars you saw in Crimea mainly belong to expat Russians.
But I wonder how they drove there - when the Ukraine land route is closed? Maybe it isn't?

As far as Crimea being international: From my perspective, the less other Europeans there, the better!
To me, at least part of the attraction would be that it is 100% Russian speaking, with signs only in Russian.
I wouldn't learn anything if there were lots of Western Europeans around, and signs in English, like at Mediterranean holiday destinations. From Crimea's perspective I guess the more international tourists the better though.