Prosecutor’s Office of Autonomous Republic (AR) Crimea (operating on the mainland of Ukraine) is investigating the seizure of 27 vessels and 4 self-elevating floating drilling rigs, illegal development of natural resources in the marine economic zone of Ukraine and gas production.

As it has been reported on General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine website, self-elevating floating drilling rigs were bought for funds of Public Joint Stock Company State Joint Stock Company ‘Chernomorneftegaz’ in the amount of more than 11 billion 655 million UAH (~$44 mln.).

On thursday, September 7, the Prosecutor’s Office of AR Crimea has made an enter to North-West part of the Black Sea to Odessa, Holytsyno, Shtormove, and Arkhangelsk gas deposits. Prosecutor’s representatives have inspected 4 self-elevating floating drilling rigs, 6 marine stationary platforms, 5 block-conductors and a marine tugboat.

In time of the inspection law enforcements found out that there are armed persons in every appointed object.

Moreover, names of two self-elevating floating drilling rigs were changed from Petr Hodovanets and Ukraine (Independence) on Crimea-1 and Crimea-2. Also the flag of Russia was risen on floating drilling rigs Crimea-2 and Sivash.

Also, an illegal extraction of natural gas on the appointed gas deposits is being done by undetected armed persons. It’s noted that such a right was provided by ‘Chernomorneftegaz’.