Russia demolishes last Ukrainian church in occupied Crimea
Russia has started demolishing the Cross Exaltation Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (OCU) in the Russian-occupied city of Yevpatoria, Crimea, the Ukrainian publication Voice of Crimea reported on July 22.
The Russians removed the dome and dismantled the upper part of the church.
The Yevpatoriya OCU parish has faced pressure to comply with a Russian occupation "court" decision, ordering the church's demolition, since 2019. The decision specified that the parish community itself should carry out the demolition.
The parishioners refused to comply. The occupation authorities then decided to demolish the church themselves and charge the parishioners for the associated costs.
"The last Ukrainian church in occupied Crimea is being demolished," said Former Deputy Prosecutor General Gyunduz Mamedov, citing Metropolitan Kliment of the Simferopol and Crimea Eparchy.
This demolition violates the Geneva Convention, which ensures that citizens in occupied territories have the right to respect for their religious beliefs, Mamedov said.
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