Telegram users demanded that construction on the embankment in Krasnodar be prevented.
Krasnodar authorities announced a public consultation on plans to build a church on the embankment, which residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict protested. Commenters on Telegram demanded that the authorities preserve the green space near the river.
As reported by "Kavkazsky Uzel," in September 2024, residents of Krasnodar's Yubileyny microdistrict protested against development on Rozhdestvenskaya Embankment, where, according to the city's new general plan, a church was planned. They explained that this was the only major recreational area in the microdistrict. However, in November, city council deputies adopted a new general plan despite protests from residents.
In September 2024, activists in the Yubileiny microdistrict began collecting signatures for a petition to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev against development on 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.
Public consultations on the construction of a church in the Yubileiny microdistrict (YuMR) have been announced in Krasnodar, 93.ru reported on September 26.
"After widespread complaints, the authorities said nothing about plans to build the church. And today, September 26, the day after the inauguration of Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, a resolution was published on the city administration's website scheduling public consultations on the planning of the area where the church is to be located," the publication stated.
"Set a deadline for public consultations to be held through the official Internet portal of the Krasnodar Municipal Administration and the Krasnodar City Duma from October 13, 2025, to "October 19, 2025," states Krasnodar Administration Resolution No. 6028, dated September 26, 2025, "On the Appointment of Public Discussions in the Municipal Formation of the City of Krasnodar," published on September 26 on the City Hall website.
Almost half of the 38 comments posted under Veniamin Kondratyev's September 27 Telegram post, dedicated to Krasnodar's 232nd anniversary, spoke out in defense of the green zone in the Yubileyny microdistrict.
"Residents of the Yubileiny microdistrict are against the development of a green zone in their district!" wrote Ildar, among others. "Another new church in the Yubileiny microdistrict, where there is no House of Culture, is a complete disgrace and a sign of the inadequacy of local authorities!" - msamarskij expressed his opinion.
There are already two churches in this part of the Yubileyny microdistrict , a local activist told the "Caucasian Knot" in 2024. "A chapel is a five-minute walk from the proposed construction site, and the large Nativity Church is 15 minutes away," he said.
Keep the green space in the Yubileyny microdistrict! We don't need a third church.
"We don't need a new [church] in the Yubileyny microdistrict! We need to finish the park area the way it should have been," said Vashe Name. "Leave the green space in the Southern Moscow Ring Road! We don't need a third church, we don't need a federal road right under our windows! We've been saying this constantly, we've collected several thousand signatures against the development and the highway! You're not listening to us!" said Olga.
"A community center, even just one, in a neighborhood like this is insignificant and unnecessary to anyone, neither children nor adults, compared to the importance and urgent need to have three churches, every 500 meters! On the riverbank! Meanwhile, in some areas of the city there aren't any at all, and people are asking for them. They're clinging to it with a death grip [...] they're ramming it, against the wishes of the neighborhood's residents," said lana indignantly.
"Build a church on the Western Bypass, there's a lot of unused land there, but no church!" urged Irina. "The residents of Yubileyny don't need another church; we're waiting for the promised embankment!" – wrote Elena Admin.
"Leave Yubileiny alone. It already has enough of everything. The city has many problems, solve them and spend budget days on pressing issues, there are plenty of them," Karl advised officials.
Green City has been turned into a human anthill with a polluted river
"Leave the green space for children and grandchildren. Urban development standards for providing green space to residents of the Southern Moscow Region have already been violated tenfold. We can't continue breaking the law! Green City has been turned into a human anthill with a polluted river. Get down to real work," demanded activist Vitaly Cherkasov.
"Thousands of signatures, personal appeals, pickets, a rally – all gone, as if we didn't even exist! And how vile! Right after the "elections," you're showing your true indifference and disdain for us. We don't know how else to convey to you: we don't need a third church! [...] Leave Yubileyny alone! If you want to make our neighborhood better, take care of the river and sewer system, build a community center, create a park without concrete or permanent structures!" – wrote Anastasia.
Whose interests are you pursuing by disregarding the opinions and health of citizens?
"Why is the opinion of city residents not taken into account? You received several thousand signatures against the development of a green zone in the Southern Moscow Region. You ignore them and continue to promote the construction idea. Whose interests are you pursuing by disregarding the opinions and health of citizens? The environmental situation in the region is deplorable, but instead of solving the problem, you are exacerbating it by developing green and water protection areas," Tatiana was indignant.
As a reminder, in September 2024, residents of the Yubileyny microdistrict held two cleanup days in the recreation area where construction is planned. The goal of the protests was to show the authorities that this was not a wasteland, but a green space of interest to residents, according to those who participated in the cleanup days.
On September 25, a Krasnodar resident held a solo picket near the building of the Legislative Assembly of Kuban. He demanded that the green space in the Yubileiny microdistrict be preserved and that construction be stopped there. Activists in Krasnodar also submitted four applications for a residents' rally, planning to discuss the proposed development of the green space. However, all applications were rejected.
Back in December 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. In January 2022, activist Yana Antonova held a solo picket against the transfer of land on the embankment to the Russian Orthodox Church for the construction of a church.