[wingstrut]

What is the state of Russian and Ukraine law on export of war relics? I saw other videos on youtube that depict persons digging up battlefields, war dead, and other material (including vast amounts of land mines and unexploded shells). I saw one video where someone was using heavy construction cranes and large earth movers. This is not something that is typically used to carefully excavate any historical artifacts (at least not by professionals). In fact they probably destroyed or broke any artifacts they dug up.

Is there any effort to preserve these historic artifacts within the country or has capitalist greed made exporting history the "new" economy? Also, is there any discussions to preserve battlefields from these private ventures? Are there legal battles in various courts over these issues?

I would be interested to hear thoughts from those in Russia as well as any of the other former Soviet Republics.