March 20, 2026, 9:52 a.m.
(The Khan's palace. PHOTO: ctrcenter.org)
Under the guise of restoration in Bakhchisarai, the occupation authorities continue the work that has already damaged the Khan's Palace. Experts said that it is not about restoration, but about the systematic destruction of the unique heritage of the Crimean Tatars.
This was reported by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center.
According to the available data and photographic evidence, these actions have signs not of restoration, but of gradual destruction of the unique historical monument of the Crimean Tatar people. Despite public statements about the preservation of cultural heritage, the work is being carried out with numerous violations of professional standards.
As a result, significant damage to some elements of the complex has already been recorded: structures are deformed, and some buildings have to be strengthened with temporary supports. In addition to the construction interventions, illegal archaeological excavations continue on the territory of the palace.
According to preliminary information, a significant number of artifacts have been found during these excavations - tens or even hundreds of thousands of items. At the same time, they are stored in violation of proper conditions, and some are taken out of Crimea, in particular abroad, where they are used in exhibition activities.
The CTRC emphasized that such actions are a violation of international humanitarian law and indicate a deliberate policy of destroying the cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the peninsula. The Khan's Palace, built in the 16th century, is the only surviving example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture in the world and has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experts also believe that the destruction of the monument fits into a broader strategy of supplanting the historical memory of the Crimean Tatars. The destruction of material evidence of their presence on the peninsula creates conditions for further manipulation and denial of their right to a homeland.
The CTRC called on the international community to respond more actively to the situation and strengthen control over the actions of the occupation administration. The organization emphasizes that all those involved in the destruction of the monument must be held accountable in the future. As an example, they cite the detention of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who was stopped in December 2025 while transiting through Poland.
Also in Sevastopol, the Russian occupation authorities illegally destroyed the Skalky beach in the Quarantine Bay area. The work was carried out as part of a project to improve the area near the monument to the end of the Civil War in southern Russia and to build hydraulic structures and a new beach.
Анна Бальчінос