Ukrainian forces have opened the year by tearing holes in russiaÒ€ℒs layered air defenses, striking highÒ€'value systems in occupied crimea and near donetsk while also hitting drone infrastructure 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 Ò€¦