Spanish authorities have seized Scythian jewellery worth €60m (£52m) they claim was stolen from Ukraine.

The 11 ancient gold pieces were allegedly smuggled out of Ukraine in 2016 and resold in Spain.

From the 8th to 4th Centuries BC, forged documents claimed the bracelets, necklaces, and earrings belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

An investigation into the sale of a gold belt with rams’ heads in 2021 led to five arrests.

Scythians were a nomadic people who dominated parts of eastern Europe and Asia between 800 BC and 400 AD, including what is now southern Ukraine. They were known for their rich cultural heritage and metalworking skills, particularly when it came to gold jewellery production.

Separately, the Ukrainian authorities announced last week that they had recovered 14 archaeological items from areas occupied by Russia. In an attempt to smuggle them into the US, a Russian man was arrested.

There is a Neolithic axe dating from approximately 5,000-3,000 BC among the items.

During a news conference, Ukraine’s acting Culture Minister Rostyslav Karandieiev wryly noted that Ukraine received a new shipment of weaponry. The only problem is that the weaponry is incredibly ancient.

Ukrainian history is dominated by the artefacts created by the Scythian civilization.

In areas under Russian occupation, archaeologists say Scythian gold held in Ukrainian museums has been looted since last year’s full-scale invasion.

According to estimates, Ukraine has suffered hundreds of millions of euros in losses due to Russian plundering of its historical and artistic heritage.