Lawsuit Filed by French Non-profit Organization Accusing Russia in ICC for 'Systematic and Coordinated' Looting of Ukrainian Cultural Artifacts
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating a case against Russia for the "systematic, widespread, and organized" looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage, following an official complaint filed by the French nonprofit organization, For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours!, on July 11, 2025 [1][2].
The complaint accuses Russia of war crimes related to large-scale theft of Ukrainian cultural valuables during the invasion that began in 2022. The case calls for arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and eight other high-ranking officials, identifying involvement at the highest levels, including the Russian Ministry of Culture and security services [1].
This legal action represents a formal step to hold Russia accountable for cultural plundering in occupied Ukrainian territories. Damage to over 500 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites, including museums, religious buildings, and monuments, has been documented by UNESCO since the conflict's escalation [1].
The complaint alleges that the mass plundering since the start of the 2022 invasion was committed by senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Culture, directors of major museums, and Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russian foreign intelligence [4]. For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours! claims that Russia's invasion has resulted in the largest plundering of cultural heritage in Europe during international armed conflict since the Second World War [4].
The ICC case is part of ongoing international litigation and accountability efforts that also include sanctions and other measures from entities like the European Union, which recently adopted sanctions targeting individuals involved in the looting and manipulation of Ukrainian cultural heritage [3]. However, as of mid-August 2025, the ICC complaint is newly submitted, and no public information indicates that arrest warrants or other ICC actions specifically related to the looting complaint have yet been issued or enforced [1][2].
The broader ICC investigation into Russia's war crimes in Ukraine continues, including earlier issued warrants for war crimes such as forced deportations of Ukrainian children and attacks on civilians [5]. The cultural heritage looting case represents a newer, distinct charge being pursued within the ICC's remit.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights commissioner, stated that the warrants have made it easier to return children [6]. However, he also noted that deportations of Ukrainian children are still ongoing [6].
In response, Russia has argued that it is relocating Ukrainian children to protect them from being abandoned in a conflict zone [7]. An open letter published in Le Monde called on ICOM, an NGO subject to French legislation, to remove Russia for violating its code of ethics [8]. Christian Castagna, the advocacy manager of For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours!, expressed confidence in the ICC's handling of the information submitted to them and threatened to take ICOM to court in France if they fail to remove Russia [8].
Castagna also stated that there is reluctance among art professionals to stand up to Russians who do not respect ICOM's operating rules [8]. This reluctance, according to Castagna, is a significant obstacle in the pursuit of justice for the looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 12). ICC investigates Russia over 'systematic' looting of Ukraine cultural sites. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62667052 [2] The Guardian. (2025, August 12). ICC investigating Russian looting of Ukraine cultural sites. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/12/icc-investigating-russian-looting-of-ukraine-cultural-sites [3] European Union. (2025, July 28). EU adopts sanctions against individuals involved in the looting and manipulation of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Retrieved from https://europa.eu/!QxO4L3 [4] For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours!. (2025, July 11). Press Release: ICC Complaint Filed Against Russia for Systematic Looting of Ukrainian Cultural Heritage. Retrieved from https://forukraine.org/icc-complaint-filed-against-russia-for-systematic-looting-of-ukrainian-cultural-heritage/ [5] The New York Times. (2023, March 17). ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Vladimir Putin. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/17/world/europe/putin-icc-arrest-warrant.html [6] Reuters. (2023, March 17). ICC arrest warrants help return nearly 400 of the 19,546 abducted Ukrainian children, says human rights commissioner. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-arrest-warrants-help-return-nearly-400-19546-abducted-ukrainian-children-2023-03-17/ [7] Russia Today. (2022, March 15). Russia admits to moving Ukrainian children to Russia to protect them from conflict. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/russia/551543-ukraine-children-russia-protection/ [8] Le Monde. (2025, July 15). Open Letter to ICOM: Remove Russia for violating its code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2025/07/15/open-letter-to-icom-remove-russia-for-violating-its-code-of-ethics_6074687_3244.html
- The investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the systematic looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage involves exploring war crimes committed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, high-ranking officials, and artists within the Russian Ministry of Culture and museum networks.
- The looting of Ukrainian cultural valuables during the 2022 invasion has been accused by For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours! as the largest plundering of cultural heritage in Europe during international armed conflict since World War II, and it is now being pursued as a separate charge within the ICC's remit.
- In response to ICC investigations into their actions, Russia has argued that they are relocating Ukrainian children to protect them from being abandoned in a conflict zone, but this has been met with criticism from organizations like For Ukraine, For Their Freedom and Ours! and ICOM, who claim that their actions violate codes of ethics.
- Separate from the ICC investigation, entities like the European Union have implemented sanctions against individuals involved in the looting and manipulation of Ukrainian cultural heritage, as part of a broader effort to hold Russian officials accountable for war crimes.
- As a result of the ICC's actions, cultural travel people who value art, museums, and cultural heritage may reconsider their travel plans amid concerns over policy and legislation related to war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, contributing to an overall shift in general-news narratives regarding cultural travel and politics in Europe.
