Stolen artifacts from Ukraine wind up on international black market- Andriy Kostin

Source: Andryi Kostin/Telegram

The cultural treasures looted by Russia in Ukraine are turning up on the international black market, according to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.

Kostin noted, “In addition to the systematic destruction of cultural heritage, Russia is committing another crime—stealing cultural artifacts. These items, stolen from our museums and archaeological sites, are now being sold on the global black market. We have gathered enough evidence to launch new criminal investigations into these crimes.”

Close cooperation with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice has helped the Prosecutor General’s Office collect crucial information about these offenses.

“We have created a special unit within my office dedicated to investigating not only the destruction of cultural heritage due to bombings but also efforts to illegally sell our cultural artifacts abroad,” Kostin added.

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