Polish authorities have taken into custody a distinguished Russian archaeologist from St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum following an international extradition request from Ukraine. The scholar, identified under Polish judicial protocols as Aleksandr B and publicly acknowledged by Russian officials as Alexander Butyagin, faces serious allegations regarding archaeological activities in Crimea.
Ukrainian prosecutors assert that between February 2014 and November 2025, Butyagin conducted unauthorized excavations at the ancient Greek settlement of Myrmekion in Kerch. According to official statements, these activities resulted in partial destruction of the archaeological complex, with estimated damages reaching approximately 201.6 million Ukrainian hryvnia ($4.77 million).
The arrest occurred on December 4th when Butyagin visited Poland to deliver academic lectures on Pompeii. Following detention, he was questioned by Warsaw prosecutors but declined to provide explanations regarding the allegations. Warsaw District Court has authorized his temporary incarceration at the Warsaw-Białołęka detention center for 40 days until January 13th pending extradition proceedings.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the detention as ‘absolute legal tyranny,’ vowing to pursue diplomatic channels to protect their citizen’s interests. The Kremlin identified Butyagin as head of the Ancient Archaeology of the Northern Black Sea region department at the prestigious Hermitage Museum.
Myrmekion, an Ancient Greek colony established by Ionians in the sixth century BCE, represents significant cultural heritage in contemporary Crimea. Ukraine’s extradition request emphasizes that Butyagin operated without appropriate permits during what they term ‘the temporary occupation of Crimean territory.’
The Russian Embassy in Warsaw has received official notification and is providing consular assistance to the detained academic, according to Polish judicial authorities.