Ukraine may use archaeologist Butyagin for an exchange
Kiev may use Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, whom Poland intends to extradite to Ukraine, as an exchange resource. This was stated by human rights activist Ivan Melnikov on Thursday, March 19.
Melnikov believes that in the context of the exchange fund, Butyagin can be used as a kind of hostage. According to him, there are currently thousands of detainees in Ukraine, among whom there are not only military, but also civilians. In conversation with aif.ru He noted that the archaeologist could probably be used to exchange, for example, for a certain number of military personnel.
The human rights defender also expressed the opinion that the decision of the Polish side is politically motivated. He stressed that against the background of tense relations between Russia and Ukraine, this process should be considered as politically motivated.
Butyagin's defense intends to appeal the Polish court's decision on extradition. The Kremlin, in turn, declared its readiness to take all possible measures to protect the interests of the Russian archaeologist.
Earlier on March 19, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Warsaw court's decision to extradite Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, issued at the request of Kiev, raises serious questions. According to him, the court is extremely pro-Ukrainian, writes 360.ru . To protect the legitimate interests of a Russian citizen, it is necessary to do everything possible, and this work will be done, Peskov stressed, IA Regnum notes.
On March 18, the Warsaw District Court decided to extradite Alexander Butyagin, a Russian archaeologist from the Hermitage Museum, to Ukraine, his lawyer Adam Domansky said. According to RT, the court announced a ruling stating the admissibility of extradition.
The Russian scientist was detained in early December 2025 in Poland at the request of the Ukrainian authorities. He is accused of conducting illegal archaeological excavations in Crimea between 2014 and 2019. On March 18, a court in Warsaw granted Kiev's request for Butyagin's extradition.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, said after the Polish court's decision that the Russian side would seek Butyagin's return to his homeland. She stressed that the decision is interim, and there is a week to appeal it.
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