Eastern Ukraine is where all of Ukraines mines are for coal, iron ore, lithium, etc. Western Ukraine is mostly farming. Also, Crimea had a large air base and a large naval base built by the Soviets. Russia wanted them, because they were leasing them from Ukraine. They wanted also a land bridge to Crimea. They basically got what they wanted, and now are in a stale mate with Ukraine. Neither can budge the other anymore.