Finland will return $46 million worth of Russian artwork that was seized by customs officers, officials say

The collection of artwork will be returned to Russia after three shipments of the artwork were seized by customs officers in Finland.

The news about the seizure was confirmed by the customs officials.

The pieces were being returned to Russia from museums in Italy and Japan, where they had been temporarily lent.

The artworks were taken into custody to determine if they could be classified as luxury goods. They were vulnerable to economic sanctions imposed on Russia.

Legislation that excludes cultural artworks from being seized under European Union sanctions will come into effect on April 9 when the foreign ministry of Finland allows customs officials to release the artwork.

The pieces would return to Russia over the weekend, according to the Russian culture minister.

There were paintings, statues, and antiques in the shipments. According to a local China-based media outlet, Hannu Sinkkonen, the director of the customs enforcement department, said they are priceless and cannot be valued.

He said that professionals had been consulted in the moving and storage of the goods.

The artworks being returned from Italy originated from collections in some of Russia's leading art galleries, according to the local outlet.

The other pieces came from Moscow.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, it has been the target of sanctions. The Russian economy has been targeted by Western nations, but they have also taken aim at Russia's wealthiest individuals.

Russian billionaires have had their assets seized during the war. One of the Russians who was hit with sanctions broke down in tears over their inability to book private jets.