Press Release, 11.01.2024

Photo: The office of the Public Prosecutor General of the RF / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov sent a corresponding appeal to Igor Krasnov, Public Prosecutor General of Russia. The Yabloko leader called for a check of the plan for the reconstruction of the highway for its compliance with current environmental legislation.

According to the preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA), posted on the website of the Administration of the city of Korolyov, it is planned to reconstruct the highway in this area within the boundaries of a specially protected natural area of federal significance – the Losiny Ostrov National Park. Despite the fact that any activity that can cause damage to natural complexes and objects of flora and fauna, cultural and historical sites and that contradicts the goals and objectives of the national park, is considered illegal.

Nikolai Rybakov noted that the very statement in the materials submitted for EIA about the need to reconstruct the highway requires careful verification, since the existing technical roads intended to ensure the protection and use of the Losiny Ostrov National Park and that turn into openings in the forest, cannot be considered as currently operating roads subject for reconstruction. In view of this, it is clear that the project submitted for EIA envisage a construction of a new highway, rather than a reconstruction.

“Thus, there are all reasons to assume that both the planned economic activity and the financing of the preparatory stage of this activity from the budget of the Russian Federation are obviously illegal,” Rybakov emphasised.