As Russian military operations in Ukraine enter their second week, Egyptian archaeologists are stressing the need to protect Egyptian antiquities at the Odessa Archaeological Museum in Ukraine. They have even requested the return of Egyptian antiquities to ensure their protection.

Art historian Konstantin Akinsha said in an article in The Wall Street Journal on Feb. 16 that the Ukrainian people and archaeologists fear that the current war may result in the loss of dozens of archaeological, historical and artistic collections. In 2014, the Donetsk Regional Museum of Local History lost 30% of its collection when it was struck 15 times by anti-tank missiles. Around 150,000 artifacts were destroyed.

Bassam el-Shammaa, a researcher in Egyptology and a senior tour guide, told Al-Monitor, “There are several archaeological and art museums in Ukraine, including the Odessa Museum in the south of the country, which is one of the largest Ukrainian museums and includes hundreds of Egyptian artifacts. It is currently under great danger due to the escalation of military operations between Moscow and Kyiv. It is important to protect these Egyptian antiquities and bring them back home to preserve our ancient history.”

According to the museum’s official website, “The Odessa Archaeological Museum houses the only collection of Egyptian Antiquities in the Ukraine. … The collection … currently has over 400 pieces covering the periods of ancient Egyptian history from the Predynastic period through to the Ptolemy period.”