Russia's Black Sea Fleet was founded in 1783, and almost immediately proved its strategic importance, defeating Ottoman naval forces and cementing Russia's hold over the Crimean peninsula.
More than two centuries later, many see the fleet as playing the same role, defending its right to a territory that others -- this time Ukrainians -- claim as their own.
Ukrainian officials say Russian armed troops, including soldiers from the Black Sea Fleet, have occupied two Crimea airports in efforts to foment a separatist conflict that may bring the peninsula back into Russia.
On February 28, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov called on Russia to refrain from any provocations:
"We are appealing to the Russian Federation to stop moves that show signs of undermining the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reject support for separatism in Ukraine, of any form," Turchynov said.
Many Ukrainians are angry, noting that under the terms of a post-Soviet accord, the fleet was due to withdraw from Crimea by 2017, removing Russia's toehold in the region once and for all.
But that agreement was controversially extended by Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian Ukrainian leader ousted from power last week amid mounting Euromaidan protests.
Yanukovych, who came to power in February 2010, signed the extension as one of his first points of business.
Under the terms of the deal, signed in Kharkiv with then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Ukraine would get a 10-year discount on Russian gas. In return, the Russian Navy would remain in Sevastopol for an additional 25 years, until 2042.
The deal was deeply unpopular with Ukraine's opposition lawmakers, who threw punches, eggs, and smoke bombs when it was brought before parliament for ratification.
The agreement passed despite the chaos, with then-speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn announcing the ratification after seeking shelter behind an umbrella.
WATCH: Ukrainian Parliamentarians Scuffle Over Black Sea Deal
http://english.share.rferl.org/flashembed.aspx?t=vid&id=2025720&w=500&h=345&skin=embeded
Lawmakers in Ukraine's new parliament, dominated by the former opposition, now say the 2010 deal should be canceled, citing Russian military aggression.
"Due to Russia's position on Crimea, the Kharkiv agreements should be immediately denounced," Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko told lawmakers at a parliament session on February 28.
More than two centuries later, many see the fleet as playing the same role, defending its right to a territory that others -- this time Ukrainians -- claim as their own.
Ukrainian officials say Russian armed troops, including soldiers from the Black Sea Fleet, have occupied two Crimea airports in efforts to foment a separatist conflict that may bring the peninsula back into Russia.
On February 28, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov called on Russia to refrain from any provocations:
"We are appealing to the Russian Federation to stop moves that show signs of undermining the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reject support for separatism in Ukraine, of any form," Turchynov said.
Many Ukrainians are angry, noting that under the terms of a post-Soviet accord, the fleet was due to withdraw from Crimea by 2017, removing Russia's toehold in the region once and for all.
But that agreement was controversially extended by Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian Ukrainian leader ousted from power last week amid mounting Euromaidan protests.
Yanukovych, who came to power in February 2010, signed the extension as one of his first points of business.
LIVE BLOG: Crisis In Ukraine
Under the terms of the deal, signed in Kharkiv with then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Ukraine would get a 10-year discount on Russian gas. In return, the Russian Navy would remain in Sevastopol for an additional 25 years, until 2042.
The deal was deeply unpopular with Ukraine's opposition lawmakers, who threw punches, eggs, and smoke bombs when it was brought before parliament for ratification.
The agreement passed despite the chaos, with then-speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn announcing the ratification after seeking shelter behind an umbrella.
WATCH: Ukrainian Parliamentarians Scuffle Over Black Sea Deal
http://english.share.rferl.org/flashembed.aspx?t=vid&id=2025720&w=500&h=345&skin=embeded
Lawmakers in Ukraine's new parliament, dominated by the former opposition, now say the 2010 deal should be canceled, citing Russian military aggression.
"Due to Russia's position on Crimea, the Kharkiv agreements should be immediately denounced," Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko told lawmakers at a parliament session on February 28.