Kremlin Denounces Polish Detention of Russian Archeologist Amid Ukrainian Allegations

The Kremlin condemned the detention of a prominent Russian archaeologist in Poland on Thursday, following illegal excavation allegations put forth by Ukraine.

According to Polish media, Alexander Butyagin, who leads the ancient archaeology department at St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, was arrested in Warsaw last week. He was reported to be en route from the Netherlands to the Balkans while delivering lectures throughout Europe.

A Polish court has mandated that Butyagin be held for 40 days as Ukrainian authorities prepare to request his extradition.

In November 2024, Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General officially charged Butyagin with illegal excavation at an ancient Greek site in Crimea, which is under annexation, for not having the necessary permits from Ukrainian officials, resulting in damage to significant cultural heritage sites.

If extradited and found guilty in Ukraine, he could face a prison sentence of up to a decade.

Butyagin expressed his shock at the allegations from Ukraine, maintaining that his focus has always been on his life’s work and the preservation of archaeological sites for public access.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled Butyagin’s arrest as an instance of «legal abuse» and stated that Russian diplomats would actively pursue his release.

Peskov also advised Russian citizens against traveling to Poland, claiming that they might encounter «total lawlessness.»

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, mentioned that Russian diplomats had visited Butyagin in prison. She revealed that his attorney intends to contest the «absurd» ruling regarding his 40-day detention.

Butyagin has been in charge of archaeological work at the ancient Greek colony of Mymekion in Kerch, Crimea, since 1999.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.