Russia says efforts to threaten its scientists will not succeed

Attempts to intimidate Russian scientists are doomed to fail, while Moscow pays increased attention to the security of all its citizens, including talented scientists, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has stated.

Responding to a question from RIA Novosti regarding the case of archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, he said blackmail, provocation, threats and hostage-taking can be described as the signature style of Russia’s enemies, Caliber.Az reports.

Medvedev also responded to a question on whether recommendations should be developed for Russian scientists working abroad.

He made it clear that such guidance would be unnecessary, arguing that Russian scientists have weight and authority in the international academic community and know how to behave in prestigious international environments.

However, he added that “caution and prudence would not hurt them.”

Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, head of the Department of Classical Archaeology at the State Hermitage Museum, was detained in Poland in December 2025 at Ukraine’s request.

He was accused of “destroying cultural heritage” during archaeological excavations in Crimea.

In March, a district court in Warsaw approved Kyiv’s extradition request.

However, Butyagin was not handed over to Ukraine.

On April 28, an exchange took place on the Poland–Belarus border under a “five-for-five” arrangement, in which the scientist was among those released.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov