Kiev has accused Moscow of preparing for the annexation of Crimea in 2013

The highest leadership of the country – Yanukovych and his entourage, knew about it, according to the Ministry of justice.

Russia had planned the annexation of the Crimea in advance, and the active phase of the implementation of this plan began in 2013, said at a press conference in Kiev, the Minister of justice Pavel Petrenko.

“We were able to get proof that in 2013, the Russian Federation began active operations on the territory of Crimea. Russia illegally increased its contingent in the Crimea illegally transferred personnel and equipment, was carried out subversive work in the local authorities of the Crimea”, – he said.

Petrenko said that the Ministry of justice known the names of Russian officials, who coordinated the operation.

The Minister also noted that Ukraine has evidence of cases of capture of civilians and their being subject to torture in the period of the appearance of Russian troops in the Crimea.

As said Petrenko, the available evidence allows refuting the position of Russia that its actions in the Crimea became “an emotional reaction to the events in Ukraine.”

“It’s deception and lies. The active phase of the process (annexation of Crimea – ed.) began in 2013. And at that time the leadership of the country – Yanukovych and his entourage – could not know about these actions. But they were accomplices and helped ensure that in the Crimea was developed in preparation for the invasion and occupation,” – said Petrenko.

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