MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian authorities sent a note of protest to Russia on Wednesday over a census currently underway in Crimea, a foreign ministry spokesman announced.
"The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has sent a note of protest to the Russian Foreign Ministry over holding the so called census in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, demanding to immediately cease illegal activities on the sovereign territory of Ukraine," Yevhen Perebiynis told reporters.
A census began in Crimea on Tuesday and will last until October 25. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier in the month that the census was necessary for drawing up a program of development for the Crimean Peninsula.
Crimea reunified with Russia in March following a referendum on the region's status, with 96 percent of voters being in favor of the move. Kiev has refused to recognize the results of the vote, calling it illegal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech following the referendum stressed that it was held in full compliance with democratic procedures and rules of international law.
Crimea has population of around 2.4 million people. Only 3,457 of them have applied to renounce their Russian citizenship.
