A Russian occupier and his accomplices made $1.25 million by forging paintings and sculptures
Russia’s Investigative Committee has accused Russian military officer Maxim Koshkarev of participating in the forgery of paintings and sculptures by Ernst Nevidomoy. The forged works were exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.
This was reported by Meduza.
According to investigators, between 2020 and 2026, Koshkaryov, as part of a criminal group, organized the production of at least 30 works of art that were passed off as works by Ernst Nevidomyi. Members of the criminal group sold the forgeries to private collectors in Russia and abroad, earning at least 90 million rubles (approximately $1.25 million).
Investigators conducted searches, including at the Tretyakov Gallery, and seized and examined 37 paintings and 10 sculptures. The artworks were sent for expert analysis. The criminal case is being investigated under charges of fraud and the illegal use of copyrighted works.
From December 16, 2025, to May 12, 2026, the New Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val hosted an exhibition of Ernst Nevidomoy’s works, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the artist’s birth. The Tretyakov Gallery stated that it had been “informed about the investigation.”
