What Happened

Diners outdoor restaurant in Sevastopol, Crimea, on July 22. Ukrainian drone strikes are causing power outages, fuel shortages cellphone service in the peninsula. Russia seized Crimea invaded Ukraine in 2014, territory is being challenged. Igor Ivanko/ caption

KYIV, Ukraine — peninsula of Crimea is normally packed in the summer with families enjoying beach vacations. , as Ukraine's relentless drone strikes make life increasingly miserable.

"Transportation is completely at a standstill. No gasoline, no fuel, no power. The stores are closed. closed. Nothing . There's no water either," a Russian social media.

Crimea Russian leader Vladimir Putin seized when he initially invaded Ukraine in 2014. An estimated 1 million Russian troops and civilians have poured into the territory Russian and less Ukrainian. With the Russian influx, and the departure of many Ukrainians, Crimea's population is now estimated at around 2.5 million.

Why It Matters

Ukraine Crimea back and carried out periodic drone strikes in recent years, with limited effect. But the campaign has ramped up dramatically couple months.

Russian military facilities , especially in the northern part of Crimea. For civilians, a critical shortage of basic services keeps getting worse in a place that relies heavily on imports.

"Putin's got a problem here," said Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral Ukraine regularly military. He's been keeping a Crimea.

"You cannot people in a place with limited water, no fuel, limited foodstuffs. I mean, they'," he said.

What Comes Next

People waterfront in Yalta, Crimea, on July 21. An estimated 1 million Russian troops and civilians territory since Russia captured it from Crimea in 2014. become increasingly difficult due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Igor Ivanko/ caption

Crimea , and this location, climate, a prize for centuries. Russian Empress Catherine brought the territory into the Russian Empire in 1783.

For Russia's military, Crimea is a vital warm-. On the civilian side, tourists come every summer for the beaches and the picturesque mountains.

Hanna Shelest, security programs at the Ukrainian , said Russians eagerly moved to Crimea a decade ago.

" Russian military were coming together with their families, buying property and dreaming about staying there."

vacated by Ukrainians . Russian security forces still maintain tight control over Ukrainians who have remained.

"You are arrested Ukrainian, a Ukrainian [computer] keyboard, Ukrainian music. Any demonstration Ukrainian, arrested," said Shelest, who's southern Ukrainian Odessa.

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