The results of the research of the Mariupol State University Archaeological Expedition in the Northern Azov Sea region in 2021 to make an inventory of known archaeological sites and determine the area use modes of archaeological cultural layer protection are published. The aim was to create favourable conditions for the preservation of the national historical and cultural heritage and increase public responsibility for the state of protection and conservation of archaeological objects. The expedition was conducted in Mariupol and Volnovakha districts of the Donetsk region. The task of the archaeological survey was to carry out research work to determine the location of archaeological heritage monuments (objects) and to inspect these objects, determine their parameters and current technical condition. 48 mound groups and 53 solitary mounds were surveyed. A total of 209 archaeological sites were accounted for during the survey, 34 of which are newly discovered sites. The crisis situation of the most valuable archaeological monuments - kurgans in Ukraine in general and in the Donetsk region in particular has been revealed. It is noted that in addition to natural factors that have traditionally caused the transformation, destruction and eventual disappearance of archaeological sites, a more significant danger to monuments of cultural and historical heritage of Ukraine today are factors of anthropogenic type. A short list of current anthropogenic factors affecting the state of conservation of archaeological objects of the Northern Azov Sea region is given. Emphasis is placed on the real threat to the preservation of the national cultural heritage of Ukraine and its cultural values during military operations. The main problems and ways of their possible solution for the preservation of cultural-historical (archaeological) heritage of Ukraine in the conditions of Russian aggression are formulated.