Connexion
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence: Russia loots ancient treasures from Crimea’s UNESCO heritage site
Russian occupiers have appropriated 110 cultural artifacts discovered during illegal archaeological excavations in occupied Crimea between 2014 and 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reports.
This primarily concerns Chersonesus Taurica, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an ancient city-state founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BCE in what is now Sevastopol. The site preserves archaeological landmarks, including remnants of fortifications, temples, baths, a mint, and a city reservoir, spanning from antiquity to the medieval era.
Details about the stolen items have been published in the Stolen Heritage section of the War&Sanctions portal. The website was launched to expose and document individuals, companies, and entities that support or facilitate Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“The artifacts were uncovered by the occupiers during unauthorized digs at archaeological sites such as the Artezian Settlement, Genoese Fortress of Chembalo, and the Southern Suburb of Chersonesus Taurica,” the report states.
Among the stolen findings are cultural items from the Kadykivske settlement, the site of a Roman military camp where the occupation authorities in Sevastopol are planning to build a shopping mall. Additionally, some of the stolen artifacts were removed from the National Preserve of Chersonesus Taurica.
Interestingly, Chersonesus Taurica has unique urban planning based on the principles of ancient democracy, with equal land allotments forming the basis for citizenship rights and political participation. Years after its rise, the Russian annexation of Crimea had a devastating impact on the site. The occupation authorities destroyed large parts of the ancient archaeological remains, including a cemetery dating back to the Roman Empire.
“The portal section has been updated with details on the locations of illegal digs, theft of cultural heritage, and other unlawful actions by the Russian occupation regime in Crimea,” Ukraine’s military intelligence adds.
The agency emphasizes that each war crime committed against the Ukrainian people will be justly punished.
