An archaeologist from the Pushkin Museum has been charged with conducting illegal excavations in Kerch

Ukraine has charged a Russian archaeologist who has been excavating the site of the ancient city of Panticapaeum in Kerch without permission since 2014. The artifacts were transferred to the occupiers’ museum.

According to the Crimean Prosecutor’s Office, the head of the Department of Ancient World Archaeology at the “A.S. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts” has been charged. His actions were classified as a war crime committed by a group of individuals acting in concert.

Under this charge, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

According to the investigation, the man has been conducting excavations since 2014 and continues to do so today. According to the prosecutor’s office, he did not have permits from Ukrainian authorities.

He was digging on the grounds of the “Ancient City of Panticapaeum” archaeological complex. This is a nationally significant site near Mount Mithridates in Kerch, which is protected by law.

Among the finds, investigators list:

• fragments of painted bowls and amphorae;
• antique slabs;
• casting molds;
• a terracotta figurine.

All of these items belong to the state of Ukraine, the prosecutor’s office emphasized.

The suspect handed over the finds to the so-called “Eastern Crimean Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.” According to the investigation, the director of this occupation-run institution facilitated the inclusion of the items in Russia’s museum collection. She also organized their display at exhibitions in the Russian Federation.

She had previously been notified of her status as a suspect in a war crime.

The prosecutor’s office emphasizes that the man violated the norms of international humanitarian law and facilitated the illegal appropriation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, his actions caused damage to the monument, and its historical and scientific value has been irretrievably lost.

Ірина Глухова