The series "Vikings" has led to the export of millions in artifacts from Ukraine. Customs officials share their insights on this trend (video).

Residents of Northern Europe have shown an increased interest in artifacts from Ukraine, influenced by the series "Vikings," according to officials at the capital's customs office. Smugglers are exporting items associated with Kievan Rus and the mercenaries from the north who served them.

https://focus.ua/ukraine/682446-istoricheskie-nahodki-tamozhennikov-iz-za-seriala-voruyut-artefakty-video2024-12-07 08:05:42

During the war, attempts are being made to smuggle historical artifacts worth millions of hryvnias out of Ukraine, which end up in private collections instead of being displayed in museums. Among the items that interest smugglers are Trypillia ceramics, sabers, and blades. Additionally, there are items associated with the series "Vikings," which reminded Scandinavians of ancient times. Deputy Head of the Kyiv Customs, Alexey Dirochka, discussed the smugglers, the items seized in postal shipments, and the damage caused by "Vikings" in an interview with "RBK-Ukraine."

The customs officer displayed a Viking axe and stated that it was being shipped from Ukraine on behalf of a resident of Northern Europe. According to him, such cases have increased due to the popularity of the Netflix series "Vikings." Among other things, Scandinavians allegedly imagined that they ruled over ancient Ukrainian lands, leading to a rise in demand for the illegal export of artifacts related to that historical era, he said. The official provided a brief historical overview, explaining that the Vikings were actually mercenaries who "worked here for the money of Kyiv princes."

"I ask you to pay attention to the Viking axe. It has a protective layer, it is reinforced, welded, and cleaned. It was headed for Northern Europe. The film about the Vikings has played a cruel joke, as demand among Northern Europeans has sharply increased. They have come to believe that they also have rights to our territories," is heard in the video.

Next to the Viking axe are Polovtsian and Cossack sabers, as well as a blade from the times of Kyivan Rus. Dirochka explained what makes the blade special: it was not used in warfare but was used for sacrifices, he added.

Historical finds — details

The video showcased other historical finds — artifacts that smugglers attempted to export from Ukraine and which are now stored in special repositories. Among them are antique Cossack sabers. The video displayed a saber coated with a black substance (a layer of oil, resin) and ready for transport. Additionally, there are treasures of coins that could interest "Pirates of the Caribbean," joked the spokesperson. The perpetrators attempted to smuggle ceramics from the Trypillia culture: a pot that retained its shape, and the red paint is almost as bright as it was in the past. There is also an artifact that is 250 million years old: it was not shown because it is too valuable. Another direction of smuggling involves items ordered from Ukrainian jewelers featuring Nazi symbols: the video showed two staffs adorned with gold, silver, and elements of a swastika.

The official warned smugglers seeking to profit from the export of artifacts or other prohibited items. The punishment for such a crime is imprisonment for a term of three to seven years, or even up to 12 years with confiscation of property.

It is worth noting that in April 2024, the press service of Kyiv Customs showcased a historical find discovered in a package from Kryvyi Rih to the USA. It turned out that an attempt was made to export an item over 6,000 years old from Ukraine. This item is stone cores made of flint (nuclei) — special stones from which ancient people chipped off plates for knives.

We remind you that the publication Thaiger reported on a 600-year-old artifact related to the history of China.