e final decision will be made by Poland’s justice minister. Russia Calls Case ‘Political’ Russia has strongly criticized the court’s decision. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the case as a “political trial” with no legal basis. She emphasized that the ruling is not final and stated that Russia would seek Butyagin’s swift return. Earlier, Russia had also summoned the Polish ambassador, calling Ukraine’s accusations “absurd” and “speculative,” and demanding the archaeologist’s immediate release. Ukraine Welcomes the Decision Ukraine responded positively to the ruling. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv views the court’s decision as a step forward. He added that Ukrainian law enforcement authorities will determine the next legal steps once extradition is completed. Serious Charges and Potential Sentence Ukrainian authorities accuse Butyagin of damaging cultural heritage sites in Crimea through unauthorized excavations. According to Ukraine’s security services, the alleged damage amounts to approximately 200 million hryvnias (€4 million / $4.6 million) . If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison . Background: Crimea and Cultural Heritage Dispute The case is linked to the broader dispute over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014 following a military intervention and referendum widely condemned by Ukraine and Western countries. Crimea is historically rich in archaeological heritage, having been influenced by civilizations including the Greeks, Scythians, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Russians. This case highlights ongoing tensions over cultural preservation and legal authority in the region.