Abstract:
One of the priority tasks of each state is the obligation to preserve and transmit to descendants the reference results of cultural activities from past eras, materialized in historical monuments, which contain information about the scientific, cultural, social and religious achievements of the people. The loss of cultural property is irreparable and irreversible. Any disappearance of cultural heritage will inevitably affect all areas of life of present and future generations, will lead to spiritual impoverishment, ruptures in historical memory, the ruin of society as a whole. They cannot be compensated either by the development of modern culture or by the creation of significant new works. The accumulation and preservation of cultural values is the basis for the development of civilization. The Russian Federation is a state with a long history and a rich culture. Russian law is currently taking steps to protect objects that symbolize the achievements of its people. Research topic is constituted by the rules of criminal and contravention law, which provide for liability for the destruction or damage to monuments of history and culture, the practice of applying these rules in the field of use and protection of historical and cultural monuments, trends and ways of developing legislation in this area, and last but not least the issues of improving criminal law.