Crimea, an autonomous republic in Ukraine, became the focus of attention in early 2014 when mass protests in central and western Ukraine forced the pro-Moscow president of the country to flee to Russia. Russia-backed forces in Crimea then took control of the republic and in a hastily organized referendum, the Russian ethnic majority in the region voted to join Russia. The Russian government quickly annexed the republic. - Crimea, an autonomous republic in Ukraine, became the focus of attention in early 2014 when mass protests in central and western Ukraine forced the pro-Moscow president of the country to flee to Russia. Russia-backed forces in Crimea then took control of the republic and in a hastily organized referendum, the Russian ethnic majority in the region voted to join Russia. The Russian government quickly annexed the republic.