Activists' appeals to destroy oak trees in Krasnodar have gone unanswered.

Respondence from residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict in Krasnodar regarding the destruction of trees in the "Oak Keeper's Glade" has gone unanswered, an activist reported. The lawyer emphasized that tree destruction is a criminal offense.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on the night of May 2, three trees tended by residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict were destroyed in the green area of ​​Rozhdestvenskaya Embankment, in the "Oak Keeper's Glade." On the night of May 3, the "Oak Keeper" itself, planted by local residents in October 2024 as a symbol of the fight to preserve the green area on the embankment, was destroyed. Residents filed a police report, and the police arrived and conducted a crime scene inspection. On May 5, it became known that several more trees had been destroyed.

Activist Vitaly Cherkasov stated that there had been no response to his appeal or to residents' appeals regarding the damaged trees.

"Obviously, if they continue to break trees and the police don't respond, we'll have to contact the Russian Interior Minister," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his information, more than fifty trees have been planted since 2024.

"They were planted in sections. And how many were destroyed... Well, the first red oak was destroyed. The second was on April 27. All the destroyed trees were deposited in the Oak Canal. On the night of May 2, three trees were destroyed. On the night of May 4, two oaks. I don't remember the previous rounds," said Vitaly Cherkasov.

Lawyer Timofey Shirokov pointed out that even official organizations must have a document—a felling permit—to cut down trees.

"If not a felling permit, then some kind of municipal direction, a municipal order. But even then, the question will arise about compliance with established regulations. And if they simply showed up with axes and chopped it down, that would, of course, be classified as a crime—illegal logging. And if it was done in violation of the law, but the perpetrator nevertheless had some documents, then the question arises about the accuracy of those documents." "Then we need to look into this separately," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the lawyer, anyone found guilty of illegally felling or damaging trees faces punishment under Article 260 of the Russian Criminal Code.

"The article provides for liability for the illegal felling of forest stands, as well as damaging them to the point of accelerated growth. Punishment ranges from large fines to seven years' imprisonment, depending on the scale of the consequences (significant, major, especially major) and external aggravating circumstances (group of persons, abuse of official position). Moreover, damage in excess of 5,000 rubles is considered significant. In principle, 5,000 rubles is a pittance these days. Therefore, even for a damaged bush, liability can arise," Shirokov explained.

As a reminder, on December 15, 2025, residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict protesting against the development Embankment, recorded a video message to Vladimir Putin, but their question was not voiced during the president's direct line.

In September 2024, residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict protested against the development of the embankment. They explained that this is the only large recreation area in the microdistrict. Activists collected signatures for a petition to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev against the development of Rozhdestvenskaya Embankment. More than 3,000 signatures were collected. Activist Vitaly Cherkasov and City Duma deputy Alexander Safronov were detained while collecting signatures and fined by the court. In November 2024, City Duma deputies adopted a new general plan despite the protests.

Back in December In 2021, activists protested against the construction of a new church on the embankment in Krasnodar, and residents of the Yubileiny microdistrict also protested. Embankment defenders believe it is necessary to build educational and leisure facilities for children in the microdistrict.