Russian archaeologist Butyagin plans to resume illegal excavations in Crimea

Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin has announced his intention to return to leading the Myrmekion archaeological expedition near temporarily occupied Kerch.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the project Crimea.Realities citing the Russian media outlet Vesti.

"The question now is rather whether I will have time to organize the expedition before summer, because reports still need to be submitted, and since I lost five months, that's a significant period. I think people may understand my situation. And I believe the work should continue," Butyagin said in an interview with Vesti.

As reported, Butyagin is a well-known Russian archaeologist and an employee of the Hermitage Museum. Ukraine has placed him on an international wanted list for conducting illegal excavations in temporarily occupied Crimea.

In December last year, Polish special services detained Butyagin in Warsaw, where he was in transit. Media reported that Ukraine submitted an extradition request to Poland that same month.

In March this year, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated that a Polish court had approved Butyagin's extradition to Ukraine. According to him, the archaeologist had for years organized and carried out illegal excavations at the nationally significant site Ancient City of Myrmekion in occupied Crimea. Under the guise of "expeditions," the cultural heritage site was excavated, damaged, and partially destroyed. The damage exceeds UAH 200 million.

Recently, the Russian service of BBC News reported that Butyagin returned to Russia as part of an exchange between Poland and Belarus.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that it will seek to bring Butyagin to justice through legal mechanisms.