Svitlana Shevchenko, the head of the occupying administration in Yalta, stated that the construction of a casino near the local seaport is taking place on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin. In doing so, the occupiers attempted to justify to local residents the illegal construction work that has been ongoing at the passenger terminal since April of this year.
This was reported by Golos Kryma.
Svitlana Shevchenko noted that there have been many complaints and appeals regarding the construction of the casino in Yalta. According to her, this situation is normal.
The representative of the occupying authorities stated that the project is being implemented on Putin’s orders. She described the stages of construction and assured that the seaport, on whose grounds the illegal construction of the casino is taking place, will allegedly “continue its core activities.”
The occupiers have been planning to create a gambling zone in Crimea since 2014. Initially, they planned to use the site of the former “Fortuna” sanatorium in the village of Katsiveli for the casino. However, the location—outside populated areas—did not suit Russian business representatives.
In 2024, Russian legislation was amended to allow gambling establishments to be located directly within populated areas. Following this, plans were made to build the casino on the grounds of the passenger terminal at the Yalta Commercial Seaport.
According to the Center for National Resistance, a longtime friend of Vladimir Putin—billionaire Arkady Rotenberg—is behind this project.
Юлія Калабайда
