International Community Unites Around Search for Missing Ukrainian Artifact
August 18, 2025
The Antiquities Coalition welcomes the strong and growing response to the recent addition of the Mariupol Bull Figurine to the ‘Ten Most Wanted Missing Antiquities’ list.
The Bull Figurine, an 8,000-year-old Neolithic carving, looted during Russia’s 2022 siege of Mariupol, has quickly become a focal point for international media and public concern—highlighting the urgent need to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage from systematic plunder.
The wide coverage, including recent reporting in The Times (London), reflects a shared recognition that the destruction and theft of cultural heritage is not a side effect of war, but a deliberate strategy. Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture estimates that more than 1.7 million cultural objects have been stolen or destroyed since the full-scale invasion began. Each loss is an attack on history, identity, and the rule of law.
As one of the Ten Most Wanted Missing Antiquities, the Mariupol Bull now stands alongside other high-profile stolen objects from across the globe, serving as both a rallying point and a reminder: the destruction and theft of our shared cultural heritage demands an international response.
The Antiquities Coalition thanks all journalists, cultural leaders, and concerned citizens working to raise awareness. With continued vigilance and cooperation, we can return the Mariupol Bull Figurine—and countless other stolen artifacts—to their rightful homes.
Learn more about the Mariupol Bull Figurine. Read the Antiquities Coalition Press Release.
Watch the Atlantic Council’s launch video.
Dive Deeper:
8,000-year-old bull looted from Ukraine one of world’s most-wanted artefacts — The London Times
Mariupol Bull Figurine Added to Global Missing Artifacts List — Odessa Journal