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Sevastopol (Севастополь - formerly known as
Sebastopol, in Turkish Akyar) is a city in Ukraine, located on the Crimean peninsula, on the Black Sea. It has a population of 400,000. Home of the former Soviet Black
Sea Fleet, the city is still a Russian naval
base. It is also a popular seaside resort and tourist destination, mainly for visitors from the CIS countries.
History
Sevastopol is probably the most famous naval citadel in the world.
Sevastopol was founded in 1783, when Russia
annexed the Crimean peninsula. It became an important naval base and later a
commercial port. It was besieged by the British and French during the Crimean War, falling after 11 months.
During WW II Sevastopol withstood an Axis siege
for 250 days in 1941-42. It was awarded the title of Hero City in 1945.
While part of the Soviet Union, the city was not incorporated in the
Crimean Oblast of the
Ukrainian SSR, but was formally subordinate to Kiev (actually to Moscow).
In 1957, the city of Balaklava was
incorporated into Sevastopol.
Russian naval base and Ukraine-Russia Black Sea Fleet Dispute
Accordingly to a 1997 treaty, the Russian naval base is declared to be "located in Sevastopol" on the terms of lasting
rent, following a long diplomatic and political dispute between Russia and newly independent Ukraine. At the first time, Moscow has been refusing to recognize Ukrainian sovereignty over Sevastopol as well as over surrounding Crimean
oblast, arguing that city was never practically integrated into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
due to its military base status. This was later resolved by the bilateral "Peace & Friendship" treaty, stating Sevastopol`s
belonging to Ukraine.
Despite this, naval base command and Russian-backed oranizations actually control the city, dominating its business and
cultural life. Russian society (incl. highest statesmen) in fact never agreed with the loss of Sevastopol, considering it being
temporarily parted with their country. Moscow City authorities, guided by Mayor Luzhkov, continuously sponsor pro-Russian social, educational and cultural activities in Sevastopol (especially
those related to Russian Navy servicemen and their families). These activities directed to promote city's practical independence from the rest of Ukraine. While Ukrainian-appointed authorities retain
formal control of Sevastopol's life (such as of taxation and civil policing),
trying to avoid confrontation with base command and Moscow-oriented groups. Few years ago Communist-dominated city council rejected EBRD loan for renovation of
Sevastopol's poor sewage system, declaring the project intended to severe city's
dependence on Ukrainian government and the West.
Ex-Soviet Black Sea Fleet with all facilities was divided between Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy after a
continuous struggle. Two navies now share some of the few city's harbours and piers,
while others were demilitarized or controlled by one country. Sevastopol
remains the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Headquarters, whilst
Ukrainian Navy's HQ is also based in the city. Judicial row continues over naval hydrographic infrastructure (see hydrographic office) in Sevastopol and Crimean coast (especially lighthouses) used in civil navigation support.
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