(VOVworld) - The Crimean naval base that operated as part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet until 1996 has resumed operations, a representative of the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters said Sunday.

The Crimean naval base that operated as part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet until 1996 has resumed operations (Photo:itar-tass.com)

The Fleet was established 200 years ago and stationed in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The Crimean Peninsula was handed over to Ukraine by the Soviet Union in 1954. In May, 1992, the Crimean Supreme Council declared independence from Ukraine and proposed an all-Crimea referendum, which was rejected by Ukrainian politicians. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea held two more referendums in 1991 and 1994, testing voters' preference for greater autonomy within Ukraine or annexation with Russia. In the referendum on March 16, 2014 the majority of Crimeans voted for annexation to the Russian Federation.