[1] The area of the raion has been occupied by Russia since 2014, who continue using it as an administrative unit of their Republic of Crimea.

The geography of the raion is divided between the foothills in the south, while the north forms part of the Crimean steppe.

The main waterway of the northern peninsula, the North Crimean Canal supplying water from the Dnieper river, passes through the raion.

[citation needed] In 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a law that would rename Kirovske Raion to Isliam-Terek Raion (Ukrainian: Іслямтерецький район, Crimean Tatar: İslâm Terek rayonı); however, the law had a clause that it would only come into effect when Ukraine re-established control over Crimea,[2] which has not occurred since.

Thus, the Kirovske Raion of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was simultaneously renamed and abolished on 7 September 2023.