Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep concern over the growing anti-Ukrainian repressive actions of the Russian occupying forces on the territory of temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

In the light of continued oppression of educational rights of Ukrainians in Crimea, repressions against journalists and all those who disagree with the violent and fraudulent occupation of the peninsula by the Kremlin, the Russian occupying forces started massive persecution and physical violence against the clergy and parishioners of the Crimean Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate).

Discrimination, pressure and threats, they have been subjected to for the last three months, escalated into beatings, destruction of property and the seizure of religious buildings by armed bandits from Russia. On June 1, 2014 the so-called Russian Cossacks with weapons committed plunder of the Holy Virgin Intercession Church in the Perevalnoe village, resorted to violence against the peaceful believers, including women and children. Such crimes by Russian invaders pose a real threat to the lives and safety of the Crimean Eparchy clergy, their families and parishioners.

Russian authorities on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea bear sole responsibility for the violation of fundamental rights and freedoms in Crimea. Russia once again shows her contempt for the principles of international law by attempting upon the highest human values to "justify" their criminal intentions and narrow political interests.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands from the Russian Federation to immediately stop such a barbaric and hypocritical policy that threatens not only Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, but also the entire international community.