Court In Poland Approves Extradition Of Russian Archaeologist To Ukraine

• 18.03.2026, 15:14

Butyagin was engaged in excavations in occupied Crimea.

The district court in Warsaw has granted Ukraine's request and ruled to extradite Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin to Ukraine, where he is charged with a criminal offense. This is reported by "Here's Tak", whose correspondent was present in court.

The decision of the court of first instance does not mean immediate expulsion - the defense has already said it will appeal it and seek to have it overturned in a higher court. Butyagin remains in custody in Poland. Before the start of Wednesday's court session, he said he felt fine but did not expect a positive decision from the court.

Butyagin was detained in Warsaw in December 2025. He was lecturing in Europe and was in Poland passing through from the Netherlands. According to the Warsaw prosecutor's office, he is suspected in Ukraine of partially destroying a cultural heritage site and causing damage worth more than 201.6 million hryvnias ($4.8 million). On this charge in Ukraine, the Russian scientist could face up to five years in prison.

Alexander Butyagin is head of the Ancient Archaeology of the Northern Black Sea Coast section of the Hermitage's Ancient World Department. Since 1999 he has been in charge of the works of the Mirmekian archaeological expedition, which investigates the ancient settlement of Mirmekiy on the territory of modern Kerch. The case against him stems from his participation in excavations in Crimea after 2014 - since Russia annexed the peninsula. The Ukrainian authorities consider these excavations illegal.