Polish police have arrested Aleksandr B, a Russian archaeologist wanted by Ukraine. Ukrainian prosecutors say he conducted illegal excavations and damaged the ancient city of Myrmekion in Crimea between 2014 and 2019. The damage is estimated at $4.77 million. Aleksandr B is the head of Ancient Archaeology of the Northern Black Sea region at St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum. The crime site, Myrmekion, is an ancient Greek colony founded in the 6th century BCE, now located in Crimea. Ukraine accuses Aleksandr B of digging without permits after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Polish prosecutors say he was detained on December 4 in Warsaw and refused to explain his actions. Ukraine requested his extradition in November. Russia calls the arrest "absolute legal tyranny" and says Aleksandr B was invited to give lectures in Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the detention and vowed to seek diplomatic channels to protect their citizen. The Warsaw District Court has placed Aleksandr B in custody until January 13 as the extradition process moves forward. The Russian embassy in Warsaw is providing him consular support, according to Polish authorities.