Environmental violations during the construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait by Russia can turn the Azov Sea into the Gulf of the Black Sea. Construction may entail a regional environmental catastrophe. By such conclusions, guided by the conclusions of experts, came to the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in connection with which criminal proceedings were opened because of violations of the rules of environmental safety by business entities during the construction of the Kerch bridge, the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

"According to information available to the prosecutor's office, large-scale works can turn the Azov Sea into the Black Sea Gulf. A sharp change in the chemical composition of water will lead to the death of many living organisms, including dolphins, which are listed in the Red Book. So, the construction of a bridge in the strait can lead to a regional environmental disaster, "- said in a statement.

The prosecutor noted that "in violation of the requirements of the Water Code of Ukraine and the norms of international law, an object is being built that causes a serious danger to the ecology of the Black and Azov Seas: pollution, disruption of natural reproduction of aquatic biological resources and their destruction".

Referring to the conclusions of the specialists of the Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the prosecutor's office came to the conclusion that the approximate losses caused to the environment of the Black and Azov Seas during the construction of the Kerch bridge, if necessary to secure the sea coasts, would amount to at least UAH 10 billion.