Russians stole almost 2 million Ukrainian artifacts and are selling them on the black market

Russia has stolen over 1.7 million pieces of Ukrainian cultural heritage.

The Russians are trading them on the black market, which is a violation of international law. This was stated by the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytsky.

Thanks to international cooperation, Ukraine is gradually returning the exported artifacts. During foreign visits, foreign authorities have repeatedly transferred to Ukraine seized cultural values ​​that were taken abroad for sale.

“Russian officials are involved in the theft of Ukrainian cultural values. Sanctions have already been imposed in Ukraine against 55 individuals and three legal entities involved in the theft and destruction of cultural heritage,” the minister noted.

Among them are Russian museum workers who facilitate the theft of Ukrainian cultural values ​​in the temporarily occupied territories, organizers of exhibitions and propaganda events.

It has also been confirmed that 164 archaeological finds have been illegally removed from Crimea, including artifacts from the excavations of the ancient cities of Nymphaeum and Panticapaeum.

In addition, Russian troops are converting ancient burial mounds in the Kherson region into military positions, setting up firing points on them, which is leading to the destruction of archaeological sites.

Late Scythian settlements used as fortifications are also being damaged, and cultural layers are being destroyed by the construction of trenches and dugouts. These actions are leading to the loss of unique historical sites that are irreparable.