Ukraine Shares Evidence with INTERPOL as Russia Illegally Removes Museum Collections from Occupied Areas

Systematic Theft of Ukraine’s Cultural Treasures

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, there has been a widespread plundering of Ukrainian museums located in territories under Russian occupation, including cities like Kherson, Mariupol, and Melitopol. Alongside unauthorized archaeological digs, Russian forces have been seizing invaluable cultural artifacts, stripping Ukraine of tens of thousands of items. Experts regard this as the largest art theft since World War II, representing a devastating blow to Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

Tracking the Crimes and Strengthening Global Partnerships

To combat these cultural crimes, Ukrainian authorities are rigorously documenting stolen items and building a digital registry of museum collections. This information is being shared with INTERPOL to aid in international efforts to locate and recover the lost artifacts. Tatiana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, emphasized the importance of this approach:

“We are advancing a digital inventory system for museum collections, meticulously recording these crimes, and collaborating with international partners to protect Ukraine's heritage and support its recovery.”

In May 2023, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), together with Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, unveiled the “Red List of Cultural Objects at Risk - Ukraine.” This list categorizes endangered items into seven groups:

• archaeological artifacts
• books and manuscripts
• numismatics
• folk art
• religious art
• applied arts
• fine arts

Among the threatened treasures are Trypillian pottery, the Ostroh Bible, terracotta figurines from Crimea, Scythian horse ornaments, and paintings by renowned Ukrainian artists such as Maria Prymachenko, Oleksandr Bohomazov, and Alexandra Exter.

Additionally, November 14 is observed annually as the International Day Against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, a recognition first established by UNESCO during its 40th General Conference in 2019. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky has also voiced strong support for protecting cultural assets, underscoring the urgency of this issue amid ongoing conflict. Ukraine remains committed to safeguarding and repatriating its cultural property, highlighting the critical role of international cooperation in these efforts.

The protection of Ukraine’s cultural identity carries significant international importance, as continued aggression threatens irreplaceable heritage. Partnerships with global organizations like INTERPOL and ICOM empower Ukraine to not only document these violations but also intensify campaigns for the restitution of stolen artifacts. This initiative resonates within the broader global fight against the illicit trade of cultural treasures.