Country that seized 8-Down in 2014

The country that seized 8-Down in 2014 and is referenced in the crossword question is Russia. Without knowing the specific clues for 8-Down, it is impossible to determine what was seized. However, it is known that Russia has been involved in various territorial disputes and annexations throughout its history. One notable example is the annexation of Crimea in Ukraine in 2014, which was met with international condemnation and sanctions. It is possible that the crossword is referencing this event, but without further information it is difficult to know for sure.