Crimea cuts ties with Turkish "sister cities"

A number of cities and towns in the Russian republic of Crimea have cut ties with sister cities in Turkey, the head of the Black Sea republic said on Tuesday.

The municipalities presumed to be affected are Simferopol’s sister city Eskisehir, Yalta’s sister city Antalya, Kerch’s sister city Canakkale, Saky’s sister city Fethiye and Yevpatoriya’s sister city Silifke, Spuntik reported.

Crimea rejoined Russia in March 2014 after a referendum in which 96 percent of the public voted in favor of seceding from Ukraine.

Russia’s relations with Turkey suffered a deep setback after a Turkish fighter shot down a Russian jet over Syria on November 24. Russia has imposed a series of economic response measures, while Turkish officials refused to apologize for the incident.

Sources: MENA