Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed protest over the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Crimea, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Betsa said.

"The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expresses protest over the unapproved by the Ukrainian side stay of the Russian Defense Minister in the sovereign territory of Ukraine, within its internationally-recognized borders, which includes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Shoigu's stay in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is blatant disregard for Ukrainian state sovereignty on the part of the Russian government," she said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry will send a relevant notice of protest to Russia, she said.