Archaeologist involved in illegal excavations in Crimea is wanted

The Security Service of Ukraine has put Russian archaeologist <b>Volodymyr Tolstikov</b> (head of the Department of Art and Archaeology of the Ancient World of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts) on the wanted list for illegal archaeological excavations in the temporarily occupied territory.

This was reported by Krym.Realii.

The search was announced on June 27, 2025. The archaeologist is accused of committing a crime under Part 4 of Article 298 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Illegal search operations at an archaeological heritage site). According to this article, the scientist faces a sentence of imprisonment for up to five years.

The charge is related to his many years of activity in Crimea: Since 1977, Tolstikov has been leading the Bosporus Archaeological Expedition of the Museum in Kerch and preserving the excavations of Pantikapaeum, an ancient Greek city located on the site of modern Kerch. Ukrainian authorities consider his work in the occupied territory to be an illegal exploitation of national cultural heritage.

SCREEN SHOT: Interior Ministry wanted list

Due to his activities aimed at the illegal exploitation of Ukrainian cultural heritage, Tolstikov was included in the sanctions list by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in February 2025.

It is worth noting that the Russian Federation, on the contrary, highly recognized the archaeologist for his work, awarding him the medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland II degree and the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine identified another 178 objects of cultural heritage illegally appropriated and exported by Russia from the occupied territories.

According to intelligence, the robbery is carried out under the guise of scientific and exhibition activities, which is an attempt to erase Ukrainian national identity. One of the most cynical crimes was the robbery of the nationally significant reserve 'Kamianna Mohyla' (near occupied Melitopol).

The invaders took 120 archaeological artifacts from there and opened an exhibition of them in the Chersonesos Tavriya Museum-Reserve in Crimea. This act took place after the "director" of the Chersonese of Chersonese, Olena Morozova, officially sent a delegation to study the reserve's funds, which turned out to be a preparation for the illegal export of valuables.

Катерина Глушко