US hands over mediaeval artefacts stolen by Russians to Ukraine – photos
American diplomats handed over cultural and historical artefacts stolen by the Russians to Ukraine on 23 September. This transfer occurred during a visit by Mykola Tochyskyi, the new Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, to the United States.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications
Details: Robert Silvers, US Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, presented Tochyskyi with four mediaeval iron sabres dating from the 9 to 13th centuries, along with several unidentified items. These artefacts were likely taken by the Russians from temporarily occupied territories.
Quote: "They [the artefacts – ed.] were discovered when several customs and border officials at the international mail facility in Newark, New Jersey, saw a package that was allegedly labelled as a barbecue set," stated Robert Silvers.
Subsequently, customs officials sent photographs of the discovered items to experts at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv for verification. It was then determined that the sabres are part of the country's cultural heritage.
Currently, Ukrainian experts are determining the origin and value of an additional seven artefacts based on photographs.
As noted by the ministry, this operation resulted from successful cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, the National Museum of History of Ukraine, and the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Similar active cooperation between intelligence agencies and cultural institutions began in June 2022. US Customs and Border Protection, along with other agencies under the Department of Homeland Security, continuously intercepts cultural valuables being sent from Russia to the US by mail.
Background: Scythian akinakes from the sixth century BC, a bronze sword from the 12 to 8th centuries BC, and other valuable items have already been returned to Ukraine. The most recent transfer occurred during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the United States in September 2023.
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