US Returns Ancient European Weapons and Scythian Akinakes Stolen by Russians to Ukraine

During an official visit to the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in a ceremony where cultural treasures stolen by Russian occupiers from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine were returned. Among them were Scythian akinakes and other ancient artifacts, as reported on the official website of the President of Ukraine.

In June 2022, the Customs and Border Protection agency of the United States detained an antique artifact—an European iron axe dating back to the 17th century with a hammerhead on its rear end. This axe had been unlawfully taken out of Ukraine and transported to the United States.

Additionally, in June, artifacts illegally imported from Russia into the United States were confiscated. These included three 17th-century iron axes, three 17th-century picks, two iron Scythian akinakes dating back to the 6th century BCE, and one iron spearhead estimated to date from 500-1200 BCE.

All of these artifacts were confiscated and transferred to the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States in accordance with U.S. laws and procedures.

The ceremony was attended by the head of the Ukrainian state, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova. They jointly signed an official certificate of transfer for the Ukrainian artifacts confiscated by law enforcement agencies of the United States.

Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to all those involved in this process and emphasized that this initiative is an important part of the support for Ukraine's efforts to preserve its cultural heritage. "Every time something stolen by Russians returns to Ukraine, it means the return of life and justice, which is very significant," stressed the President of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, underscored that Russian forces attempt cultural appropriation of Ukraine and unlawfully remove valuable artifacts from the occupied territories of Ukraine in an effort to steal its history and national identity.

It should be noted that, in addition to returning cultural treasures, the United States will provide Ukraine with a new security assistance package worth $325 million, which will include a substantial amount of air defense assets.