By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia said on Tuesday that it summoned Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski to formally protest archaeologist Alexander Butyagin's detention in Warsaw at Ukraine's request, demanding his release.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the diplomat was summoned on Monday and informed that Ukraine’s accusations are “absurd.”
“The explicitly politicized and speculative nature of the persecution of the Russian scientist by Ukraine is highlighted by the fact that the Ukrainian request through Interpol was not implemented, and Alexander Butyagin visited several European countries shortly before his arrest in Poland,” the statement said.
Butyagin was arrested in Poland on Dec. 11, 2025, at Kyiv’s request. Ukraine considers archaeological expeditions he led in Crimea since 1999 to be illegal.
The ministry said it presented evidence that Butyagin, an employee of the Russian State Hermitage Museum, has been conducting research on the Kerch Peninsula for decades and had obtained all required permissions, including from Ukrainian authorities before 2014.
“Throughout his work, Butyagin obtained all necessary permits from appropriate competent authorities, including those of Ukraine prior to 2014,” the ministry said.
It added that Poland was urged to release Butyagin immediately.
In 2014, following a controversial referendum, Crimea was "integrated" into the Russian Federation. This move is considered "an annexation" by Ukraine and much of the international community, but is viewed by Russia as a legitimate reunification. The status of the peninsula remains a central point of geopolitical contention.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Ukraine vs. Russia concerning Crimea ruled that Russia exercises "effective control" over Crimea since 2014, meaning that de facto Russian authorities control the territory, and Butyagin could not obtain authorization from Ukraine.