The activity of the occupation administration in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia - the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, has led to the destruction of a unique monument of history and culture - the ancient columns of the architectural and archaeological complex "Ancient city of Panticapaeum" in the city of Kerch.

The Russian Federation occupation administration, fully aware of the threat of the damage and destruction discovered since the end of 2017, in violation of the international humanitarian law, has not taken adequate measures to prevent the destruction and proper preservation of the this important elements of the cultural heritage of Ukraine.

Conducting the large-scale construction work within the framework of the project of illegal construction of the so-called "Crimean Bridge" in close neighborhood of the mentioned unique monument without proper measures of its protection was a clear violation of the protection status of the architectural and archaeological complex "Ancient city of Panticapaeum".

Gross and irresponsible interference with the geology of the area in the course of the mentioned illegal construction has led to destructive processes in the surrounding areas, including in the architectural and archaeological complex "Ancient city of Panticapaeum".

In this context, the Ukrainian Side would like to underline that by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 928 of September 3, 2009, the architectural and archaeological complex "Ancient city of Panticapaeum" is included in the State Register of immovable monuments of the national significance.

Its destruction, disruption or damage constitute a criminal offense, the responsibility for which is established by Article 298 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Side stresses once again that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are an integral part of the territory of Ukraine that was temporarily occupied as a result of the armed aggression undertaken by the Russian Federation.

The above-mentioned status was clearly defined by the national legislation of Ukraine and confirmed by the position of the world community, in particular, expressed in decisions of international organizations, inter alia, in the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly 68/262 "Territorial integrity of Ukraine", 71/205, 72/190, 73/263 “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine”, and 73/194 “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954, the Russian Federation, as an occupying State, must respect the cultural values located in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and take necessary measures for their preservation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine drew the attention of the Russian side to all abovementioned violations by sending the relevant verbal note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.