Russia's armed forces have kicked off tactical exercises on the Crimean peninsula, according to state news agency Itar-Tass, as Ukraine has expressed concern about the mounting tension in its southeast.
Crimea has been under Russian control since 2014, with Russia fully integrating it in its security network, however, Ukraine and the U.N. have not recognized Russia’s authority as legitimate. Since holding a snap, controversial referendum on joining Russia in 2014, following an incursion of Russian troops in Crimea, Russia has rearmed the peninsula heavily and its Sevastopol port is currently the headquarters of its Black Sea Fleet.
