Illegal archaeological excavations carried out near St. Volodymyr's Cathedral in Chersonesos

This is reported by the correspondent of Krym.Realii.

On October 22, excavations were carried out in two pits near the main entrance to the cathedral, located on the side of Quarantine Bay. The pits were fenced with ribbons and metal fences.

Archaeologists working in the pits refused to comment.

A construction machine was working near the excavation sites. It is also noted that in one place, the facing tiles were removed from the cathedral wall.

Earlier, local media reported that during the preparation for the renovation of St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, employees of the reserve discovered an ancient cemetery – the burial of the X-XI centuries-near the walls of the cathedral.

According to Anna Namoylyk, an employee of the museum-reserve, in an interview with Rossiya1 TV channel, more than ten people were buried in the discovered area of the cemetery.

Now the website of the Museum-Reserve provides no official information about the excavations and found artifacts.

In October of this year, the Director-General of UNESCO in his report noted the deterioration of the situation in Crimea and Sevastopol.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy included by his decree the Russian State Hermitage Museum, the Russian Geographical Society, the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other entities in the sanctions list, in particular, for archaeological excavations in the annexed Crimea.

Speaking at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Former Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsa said that Russia's actions in Crimea pose a "serious threat" to Chersonesos and the Khan's Palace.

After the annexation of Crimea, Russia took under its jurisdiction all objects of cultural and historical significance located on the territory of Crimea. Kyiv insists that the monuments belong to the Ukrainian people and asks to accept them under the protection of UNESCO.

The UNESCO World Heritage list includes the Tauric Chersonesos nature reserve. Also, candidates for putting on the list are the Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai, the Genoese fortress in Sudak, the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Mangup-Kale, Eski-Kermen and Chufut-Kale.