Crimean Prosecutors Probe Hermitage-Linked Archaeologists Over Illegal Digs

In Crimea, prosecutors have initiated a war crimes probe involving two unidentified researchers, one associated with the State Hermitage Museum, for conducting unauthorized archaeological digs in the Russian-occupied region. This investigation, revealed on Monday, could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 years for the suspects, who have been excavating at Medieval Solkhat since 2014, causing damage to culturally important sites. One of the individuals is accused of transferring artifacts to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. This inquiry comes amid rising tensions regarding Russian archaeological activities in Crimea. In June, the Hermitage halted its digs due to fuel shortages, while Ukraine maintains that all excavations must be approved by Kyiv. In April, the EU sanctioned Hermitage director Mikhail Piotrovsky for backing Russia's war against Ukraine.