Tensions are running high in Ukraine 's Crimean peninsula . After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 , there was some local desire for Crimea to leave Ukraine and become part of Russia again , but lawmakers in Ukraine and Crimea voted for it to stay part of Ukraine . The region has historically been part of Russia , but it 's Ukrainian now . A lot of ethnic Russians live there , but so do Ukrainians and others who are anti - Russian . Part of the Russian military is stationed in Crimea .
Tensions are running high in Ukraine 's Crimean peninsula . The region has historically been part of Russia , but it 's Ukrainian now . A lot of ethnic Russians live there , but so do Ukrainians and others who are anti - Russian . Part of the Russian military is stationed in Crimea .