Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Spain detains smugglers of Ukraine’s historic artifacts worth over USD 63 mln

One of the items from the collection of “Scythian Gold.” Photo: kazakh.tv
Spain detains smugglers of Ukraine’s historic artifacts worth over USD 63 mln

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Spanish police arrested a group of smugglers in Madrid, including a representative of the Russian-linked church of the Moscow Patriarchate which had stolen golden artifacts from Ukraine and attempted to sell them in Europe. 

During the operation, police identified 11 items of valuable Scythian gold produced by tribes in Central Asia and Eastern Europe in the 8th to 4th centuries BCE worth over $63,5 mln – earrings, a necklace, and a pectoral taken by the criminal group. 

According to the SBU, the smugglers illegally exported artifacts from Ukraine to the European Union in 2014-2020. Later, they tried to “legalize” the stolen cultural values by forging purchases from foreign buyers with the aim of their further resale on a black market.

Currently, police are trying to establish from which Ukrainian cities Scythian artifacts were stolen as the investigation is underway. 

Earlier, the President’s Office said that the ancient reserve museum of Chersonesos Taurica in occupied Crimea was looted by Russian forces.

Russians looted Byzantine gold from the Chersonesos Museum in Crimea

The occupiers plundered the museum, including artifacts such as ancient bone, clay, and other material works, falsely claiming to transport them to an exhibition on Byzantine gold in Veliky Novgorod.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts