What is the Crimea issue between Russia and Ukraine?

Fourteen months after the war in Ukraine started, Kyiv's counter-offensive is getting stronger by the day. Reports now show that Russia has emptied out some military bases in Crimea as Ukraine plans to attack the region.

There is also a possibility that Ukraine trying to take back the control of Crimea, might put the entire Europe under threat. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev last month warned of nuclear retaliation if Ukraine attempts to seize the Crimean peninsula.

While most of us think that Russia's invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022, the war between the two countries has been going on for years, and Russian forces invaded the Crimean peninsula in February 2014.

The Crimean peninsula has been a point of contention between Russia and Ukraine for several centuries. We take a look at what the Crimea is, its history, and why it has led to conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

What is Crimea?

Crimea is a peninsula located in the Black Sea, bordered by Ukraine to the north and west, and Russia to the east. Historically, Crimea has been a part of several different empires and nations, including the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union.

Crimea has a population of approximately 2.4 million people and is home to several different ethnic groups, including ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars.

The peninsula is known for its beaches, mountains, and historical landmarks, including the ancient Greek city of Chersonesus and the Swallow's Nest castle.

History of Crimea

The history of Crimea is complex and the peninsula has been a part of several different empires and nations over the centuries. The area has been ruled by Cimmerians, Scythians, Mongols, and the Ottoman Turks. More than half a million people were killed in the Crimean War of 1853-56 between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, and it also paved the way for World War One.

In 1954, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred Crimea from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became part of an independent Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Crimea has a population of approximately 2.4 million people and is home to several different ethnic groups, including ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars.

Why Crimea has led to conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Even though the area was transferred to Ukraine in 1954, the population of Crimea was predominantly ethnic Russian, and many Russians considered the peninsula to be an important part of their national identity.

However, Russia didn't want Crimea just because of the ethnic ties. The area has a lot of military significance for Russia and it hosts the natural harbor of Sevastopol. Russia's Black Sea base in Sevastopol gives Moscow access to the Mediterranean, and without Sevastopol, Russia would not have a home for its Black Sea fleet.

But the latest tensions between the two countries started in 2014 after a revolution in Ukraine led to the overthrowing of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Russia believed that these protests were orchestrated by the West.

In February 2014, pro-Russian separatists in Crimea seized government buildings and held a referendum on the peninsula's status. The Ukrainian government accused Russia of annexing Crimea, but Russia argued that the referendum was legitimate and that the Crimean people had the right to decide their own fate.

A timeline of the Crimea dispute

1783: Crimea is annexed by Russia and becomes part of the Russian Empire.

1954: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transfers Crimea from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

1991: The Soviet Union dissolves, and Ukraine gains independence.

1994: Ukraine and Russia sign the Budapest Memorandum, in which Russia promises to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons.

2010: Pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych is elected in Ukraine.

November 2013: Yanukovych suspends plans to sign an association agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

February 2014: Protests erupt in Ukraine after Yanukovych rejects a trade agreement with the European Union. Yanukovych is ousted in a revolution, and a pro-Western government takes power.

March 2014: Pro-Russian separatists in Crimea seize government buildings, and Russian troops move into the region. A controversial referendum is held, in which Crimeans voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. The referendum is not recognized by the international community.

March 2014: Russia officially annexes Crimea, leading to international condemnation and economic sanctions.