Problems of Restitution of Cultural Values in Modern Ukraine (According the Documents of the Central State Archives of Foreign Archival Ucrainica)

The documents of the Description № 2 of the Fond № 73 «National Commission for the Return of Cultural Property to Ukraine (1992–1999), the State Service for Control over the Transfer of Cultural Property Across the State Border of Ukraine (2000–2011)», which is stored in the Central State Archives of Foreign Archival Ucrainica. The documents reveal the long-term work of these institutions to identify the extent of losses, accounting and organization of legal return to Ukraine, as well as the return of cultural property to other countries by Ukraine. The purpose of the work is to cover the activities of the Commission (Service) on the basis of archival documents and outline the complex aspects of work on the restitution of cultural property. It is emphasized that with the formation of this body in 1992, the state policy on restitution of cultural values in Ukraine began not only to be formed, but also to be actively implemented. Research methods. The research is based on methodological principles related to the general scientifi c principles of historicism, scientifi c objectivity, impartiality, scientifi c reliability and comprehensiveness. Scientifi c novelty. On the basis of archival documents, some examples of the practice of returning lost monuments by the Commission (Service) are covered. Prospects for further research. A detailed study of the documents deposited in the Fond of the Commission (Service) will make it possible to trace the complex process of searching for and restitution of lost cultural values, many of which are important objects of historical memory and identity of the Ukrainian people. Conclusions. The documents of the Fond № 73 «National Commission for the Return of Cultural Property to Ukraine (1992–1999), the State Service for Control over the Transfer of Cultural Property Across the State Border of Ukraine (2000–2011)» have considerable scientifi c and source information potential.