Why Crimea is so important in the Russia-Ukraine war

Ukrainian officials have told The Washington Post that the explosions — including those at two air bases and an ammunition depot — were the work of Ukraine’s special forces seeking to disrupt Russia’s supply lines. Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and has occupied it since.

The Black Sea peninsula, which is about the size of Massachusetts, has long been fought-over by the world’s great powers. For years, it has been a point of contention between Moscow and Kyiv.

As it emerges as a new battlefront in the war, here’s what you need to know about Crimea and its strategic importance.

Crimea served as a southern staging ground for Moscow’s February invasion of Ukraine. Its city of Sevastopol is home to a key port that provides Moscow access to the Mediterranean and is the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. It helped Russia maintain its wartime naval blockade that halted trade at Ukrainian ports.

The peninsula has also been viewed by both sides as a symbol of power, identity and ownership.

In a speech to the nation announcing the invasion of Ukraine in February, Putin harked back to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. “Russia was obliged to protect the residents of Crimea and Sevastopol from those whom you yourself call ‘Nazis,’ ” he said, addressing “the citizens of Ukraine.” After Crimeans decided to join “their historical homeland of Russia,” he added, Moscow had no choice but to support their decision.

“Crimea is Ukrainian, and we will never give it up,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after Aug. 9 blasts at a Russian air base in Crimea. “This Russian war … began with Crimea and must end with Crimea — with its liberation.”

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