Preserving the past: How Ukrainian troops protect ancient Scythian, Sarmatian, and Cuman artifacts

Ms. O. watched almost indifferently as Russian customs officers superficially examined her belongings. But this calmness was fake. Inside, she was almost dying of fear. After all, in her suitcase, among her clothes, was hidden a unique relic from the times of Kyivan Rus – the personal lead seal of Prince Svyatoslav the Brave.

This seal was actually stolen from Kyiv in the late 1970s by a Russian archaeologist. The Azov Regiment soldiers managed to recover it as a result of a specially designed operation. Now Ms. O., a true representative of the Kyiv intelligentsia who had never been involved in any nationalist movements or (God forbid!) anything illegal, was smuggling the relic back home.

As a local historian, she was well aware of how important it was to preserve Prince Svyatoslav's heritage in Kyiv. That's why she agreed to be a carrier, she tells LIGA.net. Fortunately, the Russians did not notice her stash. The seal returned to Kyiv.

It was 2016. The war with Russia had been going on for two years, but transportation links with Ukraine remained virtually unimpeded, which allowed the unique item from the times of Kyivan Rus to be freed from Russian "captivity."

Since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014, archaeological rescue operations have been taking place along the entire front line, with soldiers from various units collecting the historical artifacts they found and handing them over to Ukrainian museums.

With the outbreak of the full-scale war, the problem only grew: many archaeological sites on the front line, from ancient mounds to ancient settlements, are in immediate danger. During the current phase of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Ukraine will lose many archaeological sites that have not been explored.

For 10 years now, Russian soldiers have been not only physically destroying but also stealing archaeological artifacts from the territory of Ukraine, which Russia then passes off as its own, the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine told LIGA.net.

How (or whether) can Ukraine preserve its history? LIGA.net investigated together with scientists from the combat zone, officers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, employees of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, UNESCO, the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Zones, and the European Association of Cultural Researchers.