Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General, one of the largest cases regarding the illegal storage of cultural valuables has been completed.

During the investigation, more than 7,000 unique artifacts of archaeology, numismatics, and weaponry were seized. Their total value amounts to millions of dollars.

The unique valuables have been transferred to the National Museum of History of Ukraine. This is the largest addition to the museum fund in the entire history of independent Ukraine.

Among the valuables transferred to the state:

• over 5,000 ancient coins from Greek city-states of Crimea, Byzantium, Kievan Rus, and the Golden Horde;

• ancient Greek ceramics and glass vessels over 3–4 thousand years old;

• Scythian, Byzantine, Scandinavian, and Near Eastern weapons, including the only Byzantine sword in Ukraine;

• ancient helmets, chain mail, jewelry, and household items;

 • a rare collection of firearms.

The archaeological finds were stored in an attic and even in the electrical room, where they were discovered during searches within the criminal proceedings against the former head of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. According to the investigation, he was illegally storing archaeological items purchased from so-called "black archaeologists."

During the pre-trial investigation, the former official entered into a plea agreement and agreed to transfer all archaeological collections to the state, including some exhibits that were not seized during the searches.

As the prosecutor notes, some of the transferred items are unique to Ukraine – there are no analogs even in museum collections. That is why their return is an exceptional step in preserving the national cultural heritage.

Some of the artifacts have already been presented to visitors at the National Museum of History of Ukraine, where everyone can see them.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations.