"Ukrainian Official Outlines Plan for Crimea's Independence from Russia"

A top Ukrainian official has outlined a plan for Crimea after the country reclaims control, including dismantling the bridge that links the peninsula to Russia and prosecuting Ukrainians who worked for the Moscow-appointed administration. The plan also calls for expelling all Russian citizens who moved to Crimea after 2014 and nullifying all real estate deals made under Russian rule. The future status of Crimea will be a key feature in any negotiations on ending the current fighting. Ukrainian troops are preparing for a spring counteroffensive to reclaim occupied areas, and Russian troops are trying to capture the key Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut.