09 October 2025
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Publishes Data on Over 140 Ukrainian Cultural Artifacts Stolen by Russia
The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has reported via the War&Sanctions portal that Russian occupiers have stolen more than 140 artifacts during illegal archaeological excavations in Crimea. The report refers in particular to finds from the Southern Suburb of Chersonesus Taurica, the Kadykivske ancient settlement, and the Byzantine architectural monument Church of St. John the Baptist. In total, 178 cultural valuables have been documented as illegally removed from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
“By appropriating Ukrainian culture and history, Russia seeks to erase Ukrainian national identity and to justify its aggression and occupation. Documenting these crimes is the first step toward restoring justice and holding all perpetrators accountable,” the Defence Intelligence stressed.
The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea conducts systematic monitoring of the actions of the Russian Federation and its occupation administrations in the temporarily occupied territories. Based on the findings, materials are prepared and submitted to initiate the application of special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) against the Russian Federation, its citizens, legal entities, and other foreign actors involved in Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and the temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
In addition, the Mission cooperates with civil society organizations, including the NGO Regional Human Rights Centre.Within this cooperation, in 2024, individuals involved in illegal archaeological excavations, as well as in the destruction, damage, and unlawful transfer of Ukrainian cultural heritage objects in Crimea during 2014–2023, were identified.
During 2024–2025, the Mission prepared and submitted materials for the imposition of sanctions: in 2024 — against 155 individuals (sanctions were applied to 33 of them), and in 2025 — additional materials were resubmitted concerning 82 individuals involved in illegal archaeological activities in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.
After summarizing and verifying the collected evidence, the materials were systematized and submitted to initiate sanctions against individuals whose actions threaten Ukraine’s national interests and are used by Russia to distort historical facts for political purposes.
These actions by Russia constitute a violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Ukraine calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Russian Federation and its officials involved in the looting of cultural heritage — through the introduction of sanctions, prosecution of those responsible, and active participation in the return of the stolen artifacts.