Through a court ruling, 892 unique archaeological artifacts dating from the 8th century BC to the era of Kyivan Rus, which were illegally held by a private individual in the Sumy region, have been returned to state ownership. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General, according to UNN.
Following a lawsuit by the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Putyvl District Court of the Sumy region recognized the state's right of ownership to 892 archaeological items and cultural values that hold exceptional historical, scientific, and cultural significance for Ukraine,
The artifacts were in the possession of a private individual and were not voluntarily handed over to the state. Among them are elements of weaponry, numismatic finds, household and religious items: arrowheads, unique coins from various historical eras, fibulae, crosses, rings, pendants, and other monuments of material culture.
The collection spans the period from the Early Iron Age to the era of Kyivan Rus — from the 8th century BC to the 13th century AD — and belongs to various historical and cultural stages, including the Early Medieval and Old Rus periods.
Given their archaeological origin and special historical and cultural value, these items are state property and are under state protection. Their possession by a private individual created risks of damage or permanent loss, and also complicated scientific research and cultural-educational work,