The Russian Embassy announced an increase in cases of harassment of Russians in Poland.

The Russian Embassy in Poland has announced an increase in cases of harassment of Russian citizens in recent years. On March 18, diplomats informed Izvestia about this, commenting on the situation with archaeologist Alexander Butyagin.

"In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of harassment of Russian citizens in Poland, accusations against them under completely far-fetched pretexts. The detention of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin in Warsaw in December 2025 on absurd charges by the Kiev regime is a blatant violation," the embassy said.

Butyagin is suspected of destroying cultural heritage as a result of excavations in Crimea, which the Ukrainian side considers illegal. The court of first instance held in Warsaw, which decided to satisfy Ukraine's request for extradition.

"The trial of Butyagin continues. The embassy, within its competence, is seeking the release of our citizen and his return to his homeland," the diplomatic mission stressed.

In Warsaw, a court approved the extradition of a Russian archaeologist to Ukraine. What is known

The Warsaw District Court earlier that day issued a decision on Butyagin's extradition to Ukraine. The scientist's lawyers stated that there was no evidence of his destruction of archaeological sites in the case file, and the amount of damage had not been confirmed.

Butyagin's detention in Poland became known on December 11, 2025. The Ukrainian authorities were looking for him allegedly for illegal archaeological research in Crimea. On January 12, a journalist from Izvestia reported that the Warsaw District Court had decided to extend his arrest after the hearing on Butyagin's case. Later, a court in Poland refused to change the measure of restraint. The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the accusations from Ukraine are absurd.

On January 15, the Warsaw District Court refused to postpone consideration of the case on the extradition of the Russian archaeologist to the territory of Ukraine. According to the lawyer, Butyagin did not agree with the admission of his extradition due to the fact that it poses a "threat to life and health." The Russian Embassy in Poland provides any possible assistance to the detainee.

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