Peskov called the process of Butyagin's release difficult and responsible.

The process of freeing archaeologist Alexander Butyagin from Poland was very difficult and demanding. This was announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a briefing on April 29.

"Of course, it was a very difficult and responsible process, and our special services successfully conducted and finalized it," Peskov said.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with the freed archaeologist.

They're digging under themselves: what will the arrest of a Russian archaeologist mean for Warsaw

And how did the Russian Federation react to the arbitrariness of the Polish authorities?

Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director General of the Hermitage, said that Butyagin, an archaeologist, would continue his scientific and educational activities at the museum after his release. The Hermitage also thanked the government, the diplomatic services and the scientific community for their assistance in his release.

During an exchange on April 28 involving Butyagin and the wife of a Russian serviceman on the Belarusian-Polish border, Russia extradited Moldovan intelligence officers. On the same day, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation showed footage of Moldovan intelligence officers who arrived in Russia in 2025 to carry out intelligence operations. During the investigation of the criminal case, it was possible to collect information proving their affiliation to the Moldovan intelligence service.