Russia launches naval base in Crimea
The naval base in Crimea, which is part of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has been fully restored and put into operation.
This was announced by a representative of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters on December 21.
 |
| Russian destroyer in Sevastopol port. Photo: Ria Novosti |
| RELATED NEWS |
|---|
The new units have been integrated with Russian forces to counter enemy ships in the Black Sea, the representative added.
The Russian Black Sea Fleet has been based in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula since its founding more than 200 years ago. The Crimean Peninsula was formerly part of the Russian Federation but was handed over to Ukraine in May 1954, then part of the Soviet Union.
In May 1992, the Supreme Council of Crimea (Parliament) declared independence from Ukraine and proposed holding a referendum on the issue, but this was rejected by Ukrainian authorities. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea held two referendums in 1991 and 1994 to survey voters' preferences for Crimea to remain within Ukraine with greater autonomy or to join Russia.
After the referendum held on March 16, with the vast majority of Crimean people supporting returning to Russia, the Crimean Peninsula and the city of Sevastopol were officially annexed to Russia.
According to VNA
