La Crimea, occupata dai bolscevichi nel novembre 1920, entrò a far parte della Russia sovietica e l'anno seguente fu costituita in territorio autogestito come Repubblica Socialista Sovietica Autonoma di Crimea all'interno della Repubblica Socialista Federativa Sovietica Russa. While the takeover of Crimea was nearly bloodless, the situation in eastern Ukraine quickly descended into a state of open warfare that claimed more than 10,000 lives over the next four years. Stay on top of Crimea latest developments on the ground with Al Jazeera’s fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated maps. The Crimean parliament quickly proclaimed independence from Ukraine and on March 18, became the Republic of Crimea, a federal subject of Russia. However, Ukraine and most other countries in the world continue to recognize that Crimea is part of Ukraine. Ukrainian Navy Strikes Russian Bastion Missile System in Crimea The Ukrainian Navy struck a Russian Bastion coastal missile system in occupied Crimea, targeting a launch site used for Onyx and Zircon missiles. After Ukrainian independence in 1991, most of the peninsula was reorganised as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The Soviet fleet in Crimea was in contention, but a 1997 treaty allowed Russia to continue basing its fleet in Sevastopol. Ukrainian drone and missile strikes have isolated occupied Crimea — cutting power to nearly half the peninsula, forcing the Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol, and putting the main land supply route under fire control. Analysts say the peninsula Putin seized in 2014 has turned from showcase stronghold into strategic liability. Crimea, autonomous republic, southern Ukraine. The republic is coterminous with the Crimean Peninsula, lying between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. In 2014 Russia covertly invaded and illegally annexed Crimea, a move that was denounced by the international community. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Crimea was formed in 1992, although the republic was abolished in 1995, with the Autonomous Republic of Crimea established firmly under Ukrainian authority and Sevastopol being administered as a city with special status. Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukraine.