Crimea was originally a part of Russia, but in 1954, it was gifted to Ukraine. Back when both were Soviet Union member states, this arrangement posed no issues. However, after the Soviet Union collapsed, the ownership of Crimea became a complicated matter.
Historical reasons led to a unique relationship between Ukraine and Crimea. Crimea is an autonomous region of Ukraine and enjoys significant self-governance. Moreover, the vast majority of Crimea's residents are Russian. Although Crimea is technically under Ukraine's jurisdiction, it holds the right to lease the Sevastopol military port to Russia.
Ukraine does have troops stationed in Crimea, but their numbers are minimal—essentially symbolic. In total, the Ukrainian forces stationed there are fewer in number compared to the personnel of Russia's Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol. In other words, on the ground in Crimea, Russian soldiers outnumber Ukrainian ones.
