ABSTRACT
The article is devoted to problematic issues of prevention and fight against the illegal trafficking of cultural property on the territory of Ukraine. After the restoration of independence, important national cultural property has been exported from Ukraine, and its territory has been used for the transit of stolen foreign cultural property. Despite the ratification of the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On the Export, Import and Return of Cultural Property”, Ukrainian legislation in this area remains controversial and challenging to apply. The occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by the Russian Federation and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts facilitates the illegal international circulation of cultural property. The lack of a specialised law enforcement body to protect the national cultural heritage does not effectively fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The article proposes changes to the legislation that can increase the level of protection of national cultural property from their illegal export, as well as strengthen the fight against the unlawful international circulation of cultural property.
