The occupants opened the Crimean bridge on 15 may

Photo: EPA

Crimean bridge between Russia and the occupied Peninsula was built with gross violations of the rules of environmental safety. About it may 15, reported the press service of the Prosecutor of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

“The construction has caused damage to the ecosystem of the Azov sea, has led to environmental pollution of large areas of Ukraine, have caused irreparable environmental damage to the Tuzla Isle (Ukraine), which is its destruction as a unique natural object, as well as other serious consequences for the natural environment”, – said the Prosecutor’s office.

It is noted that during the preliminary investigation, set the main contractor, contractor and subcontractor, which in this regard were already under US sanctions. Also checked European companies, which could participate in the construction.

According to experts of Institute of water problems and melioration of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, estimated the losses caused to the environment of the Black and Azov seas in the construction of Crimean bridge, subject to the need to strengthen the sea coast, is not less than 10 billion UAH.

The Crimean Prosecutor’s office in conjunction with Nicolicea of Ukraine investigates criminal proceedings according to article 236 of the Criminal code of Ukraine (violation of the rules of environmental safety) in connection with the construction of Crimean bridge.

Russia annexed the Crimea and Sevastopol after the illegal referendum on 16 March 2014. The annexation of Crimea by Russia is not recognised by Ukraine and most countries of the world.

Transport crossing through the Kerch Strait is being built at the expense of the Federal budget of Russia. The total project cost is around 228 billion rubles (about $4 billion). The Ministry of transport of the Russian Federation stated that it will ensure the opening of vehicular traffic the construction of the Kerch bridge by December 2018, and the movement of trains by 2019-mu.

In March 2018, the Agency said that in may the fare will be opened for cars and buses.

On 15 may, Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the Crimean bridge.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that the transport transition “will need occupants, when they will urgently leave our Crimea”.

The Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ukraine has stated that it will work on the introduction of sanctions against legal and natural persons involved in the illegal construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait.