A Polish court has decided to extradite Russian archaeologist Butyagin, who was arrested in Warsaw, to Ukraine, where he faces serious charges related to illegal archaeological excavations in Crimea. Butyagin, head of the Ancient Archaeology Department at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, was apprehended on December 4 while traveling through Europe, where he had been giving lectures. His lawyer, Adam Domanski, has stated that Butyagin intends to contest the court's extradition ruling.

The Russian government has reacted strongly to the court's decision, labeling the trial in Poland as politically motivated, emphasizing the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea. Butyagin is accused by Ukrainian authorities of conducting unauthorized excavations at an ancient Greek settlement in Crimea since 2014, a territory that has been a focal point of conflict following its annexation by Russia. The potential penalties he faces in Ukraine include a prison sentence of up to ten years.

In addition to the illegal excavations, Butyagin is also charged with causing significant damage to the ancient site, estimated to be around 200 million hryvnias (approximately 4 million euros), and the illegal transfer of found artifacts to Russia. This case not only underscores the ongoing cultural and territorial disputes stemming from the annexation of Crimea but also raises broader questions about the preservation of historical sites amidst geopolitical conflicts.