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 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. Russia invaded Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in February 2014 amid the deadliest days of the EuroMaidan Revolution. Around 30,000 Russian troops crossed into Crimea, taking hold of the peninsula by early March 2014. Russia has continued to occupy Crimea ever since. Crimea covers an area of around 27,000 square kilometers (10,400 square miles), roughly the same size as the U.S. state of. 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. 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. 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. Crimea Is Quickly Slipping Away From Russia And Putin: Crimea was an integral part of Russia’s illegal annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin joked then that “little green men” were responsible for the takeover of government facilities, as Crimea was the ”jewel” in Putin’s attempt to rebuild the Soviet Union. But the peninsula is now. 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. 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. Stay on top of Crimea latest developments on the ground with Al Jazeera’s fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated maps.