May 16, 2026, 9:28 a.m.
In annexed Sevastopol, the Russian authorities transferred land in the Chersonesos Tavriya reserve to a Russian bank under international sanctions for construction. A hotel complex and a school for gifted children are planned to be built on the coast of Quarantine Bay.
This was reported by Krym. Realii.
In the temporarily occupied Sevastopol, the Russian government has transferred two land plots within the territory of the Tauric Chersonese landmark for construction to the structures of the PSB bank. The relevant order was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in late April.
One of the plots is located on the shore of the Quarantine Bay near the unofficial Skalki beach. The bank's subsidiary plans to build a hotel there. The other area, which borders the Chersonese necropolis, was given to build a school for gifted children. The land was leased for 49 years.
PSB Bank, formerly known as Promsvyazbank, is one of the key Russian banks servicing Russian defense contracts. Due to its activities in the occupied Crimea and the occupied territories of Ukraine, the financial institution is under sanctions from the EU, the US and the UK.
The development of Skalky beach, which is considered the only accessible recreation area for the residents of the neighborhood, caused particular outrage among local residents. According to the activists, even before the occupation, Crimean residents opposed the development of this territory and held actions in its defense.
In February, heavy machinery was already spotted on the beach - excavators destroyed part of the natural coastline and stone boulders. The work was carried out without information stands and explanations about the construction customer, which caused a wave of criticism on social media and local media.
Plans to build a school next to the Chersonese necropolis caused even more controversy. Activists claim that the area is actually located over ancient burials, and archaeological sites are visible to the naked eye. They emphasize that construction is being carried out in places of high historical and cultural value. The bank itself claims that the new facilities should promote tourism, create jobs, and modernize the city's infrastructure.
Also in Koktebel, the so-called reconstruction of the embankment, which has been going on since 2021, has turned into a tool for restricting the rights of local residents. Due to the endless construction work, the completion date of which is constantly being postponed, most of the village's beaches remain closed to access.
Анна Бальчінос