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Russian regular troops and Cossacks storming the Turkish fortress of Khadjibey in 1789, by P.P.Parkhet. Khadjibey was later renamed Odessa for the ancient Greek colony on the Black Sea.

Why do so many places in Ukraine and Crimea sound a bit Greek?

Global Politics

A bunch of places in Ukraine and Crimea end in “-opol”, from the ancient Greek word for city: polis. That’s no accident. Russia chose those names after conquering the Black Sea region from the Turks. But why?

Russian regular troops and Cossacks storming the Turkish fortress of Khadjibey in 1789, by P.P.Parkhet. Khadjibey was later renamed Odessa for the ancient Greek colony on the Black Sea.

Why do so many places in Ukraine and Crimea sound a bit Greek?

Global Politics

Find the geographic link between the Crimean War and blues guitar?

Arts, Culture & Media

Find the geographic link between the Crimean War and blues guitar?

Arts, Culture & Media

Facebook plus drones equals Internet?

Global Scan
A group of Russia supporters outside the entrance to the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Sevastopol. They say they see Crimea's future with Russia, not Ukraine.

Putin claims that ‘volunteers’ are surrounding Ukrainian bases in Crimea

Conflict & Justice

Despite Putin’s claims to the contrary today, Russian soldiers in unmarked uniforms and vehicles are blocking Ukrainian bases in Crimea and demanding that Ukrainian soldiers hand over their weapons. And for the people, Russian passports are available for the asking.

A monument in Sevastopol to the city's heroic defense against the Nazis in World War Two

Here’s why Russia won’t let go of Crimea

Conflict & Justice

Russia’s military moves since the fall of Ukraine’s government last week seem to signal one thing. Russia is not prepared to lose the Crimea. And the reason is pretty straightforward, if you look at history.Russia’s military moves since the fall of Ukraine’s government last week seem to signal one thing. Russia is not prepared to lose the Crimea. And the reason is pretty straightforward, if you look at history.

A militia man stands guard at a checkpoint Friday about a hundred yards from unmarked military trucks that have sealed off Sevastopol's airport.

Mystery troops blockade airports in the Crimean region of Ukraine

Conflict & Justice

Troops wearing Russian style uniforms, in Russian style trucks have occupied the entrances to two airports in the Crimean region of Ukraine. All insignia has been removed from their uniforms and vehicles. Reporter Jacob Resneck went to speak with the men at the checkpoints.

Yanukovych

Five reasons why Ukraine’s ousted president might be hiding in Crimea

Global Politics

Crimea juts out into the Black Sea and is a key naval port, but it’s historic ties to Russia make it the perfect refuge for fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych.