Days after Ukraine's president was toppled from power during the Euromaidan revolution, Russian soldiers and local proxies took control of the strategically important Crimean peninsula and surrounded Ukrainian troops in their bases. Unhappy with the change in government in Kyiv and using the unfounded fear of the Russian language being restricted, Russia made a bid for control in the region.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Vice News: Crimea – welcome to Russia (VIDEO)

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends celebrating of Victory Day and the 70th anniversary of Sevastopol's liberation in Sevastopol, Crimea, May 9, 2014.