The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported on 178 valuable items stolen by Russian forces in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The data was published in the “Stolen Heritage” section on the War&Sanctions portal. The DIU reported this on Facebook.
Russians have stolen over 140 artifacts during illegal archaeological excavations in Crimea. These activities occurred at various sites, including the southern suburbs of Tauric Chersonesos, the Kadykivske settlement (a former Roman camp), and the Byzantine architectural monument known as the “Church of John the Baptist.”
Additionally, the invaders transferred 37 exhibits from the Kamiana Mohyla National Historical and Archaeological Museum to the Tauric Chersonesos Museum. This was done under the pretext of a “temporary exhibition” called “The Spiritual World of Ancestors in the Petroglyphs of Kamyana Mohyla” in 2023.
Some of the information revealed was obtained from participants in the international hackathon War&Sanctions.
The DIU emphasizes that by appropriating Ukrainian culture and history, Russia aims to erase Ukrainian national identity and legitimize its aggression and occupation. Documenting these crimes is the first step toward establishing justice and ensuring that those involved are held accountable.
Previously, the War&Sanctions portal released information about 110 artifacts that were also illegally excavated by Russians in Crimea.