The Truth Behind the “Louvre Jewels Found in Ukraine” Story

A rumor spread widely this week about the Louvre jewel theft. It stated that part of the stolen collection had been found in Ukraine during searches tied to businessman Timour Mindich, who is involved in a corruption case in Kyiv.

The claim circulated in French and English and gathered more than a million views in a short time.

The story pointed to Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau and suggested that investigators had seized a necklace and earrings matching pieces taken from the Louvre.

The video used an image showing a green necklace next to bundles of cash, presented as evidence from the raids.

This turned out to be false. The Ukrainian bureau has not reported finding jewels. Their real photos from the searches show only cash and documents. The version in the viral video used one of those official photos and added a necklace digitally.

The necklace also differs from the piece stolen in Paris. The Louvre’s original set includes a mix of stone shapes and tear-shaped emeralds. The image circulating online shows a simpler design that does not match.

French investigators say the stolen collection has not been recovered.

The rumor came from accounts already linked to a Russian influence network identified by Viginum, the French service that tracks foreign digital interference.

This network has produced several misleading posts about the Louvre heist since October. It regularly ties French news to political scandals in Ukraine to create connections that do not exist.

The claim about jewels found in Ukraine fits the same pattern, it connects two unrelated stories and relies on edited images to strengthen the message.

Nothing in the French investigation supports it, and officials in Ukraine have not reported finding anything related to the theft.

The jewels remain missing, and the investigation in France is ongoing.