(WARSAW, POLAND) – A Polish court has approved the extradition to Ukraine of Russian archaeologist Oleksandr Butyagin, the head of a sector at the State Hermitage museum. According to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, this marks the first successful instance of a Polish judicial authority permitting the extradition of a Russian citizen based on a Ukrainian request. Kravchenko stated that the Ukrainian side remains prepared for further legal proceedings and confirmed the importance of this development.
The Warsaw District Court ruled on Wednesday that the extradition of the Russian citizen to Ukraine is legally permissible, a decision confirmed by Adam Domanski, the defence lawyer for the accused. Kravchenko highlighted that this is the first time a Ukrainian extradition request for a Russian national has received such a positive judicial assessment, establishing a significant legal precedent.
Following the Russian occupation of Crimea, the prosecutor general stated that Butyagin organised and conducted unauthorised archaeological excavations for years at the Ancient City of Myrmekion, a national heritage site located in Kerch. Under the guise of purported scientific expeditions, the cultural heritage location was excavated, damaged and partially destroyed. Authorities estimate the financial damages to exceed 200 million Ukrainian hryvnias, which equates to approximately 5 million US dollars.
Kravchenko described the activities undertaken by the Russian archaeologist as an attempt to rewrite history, appropriate Ukrainian cultural heritage and provide a veneer of scientific legitimacy to the Russian occupation. The prosecutor general asserted that individuals implicated in crimes against Ukraine should not be permitted to travel freely throughout Europe, deliver academic lectures or showcase stolen historical artefacts. He expressed gratitude to his Polish counterparts for their principled stance and professional cooperation, noting that this outcome demonstrates how the rule of law functions between nations that respect international legal standards.
The Ukrainian prosecutor general acknowledged that the current ruling represents only one stage in the broader extradition procedure. He noted that the defence will likely utilise all available legal instruments, including appellate reviews and appeals to competent Polish authorities. Nevertheless, Kravchenko affirmed that the Ukrainian legal team is confident in its position and ready for the forthcoming legal challenges. He emphasised the fundamental importance of holding all individuals involved in crimes against Ukraine accountable, adding that their work continues without pause.
The initial detention of the Russian citizen occurred in early December 2025. The Polish Internal Security Agency detained Butyagin on behalf of the district prosecutor office in Warsaw, following a formal request for international legal assistance from Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities suspect the archaeologist of the intentional and illegal partial destruction of the Myrmekion archaeological complex in Crimea, alongside accusations of conducting excavations without the requisite permits.
