New Russian Art Theft

Russian officials say drawings by an acclaimed Russian artist worth millions of dollars have vanished from a state art archive. About 2,000 drawings by avant-garde artist and architect Yakov Chernikhov are missing from the state archive of literature and art. Officials say 274 drawings have been found with antiques dealers and will be returned. This is the second major art theft announced in Russia in the past week. Last week, officials said more than 220 art objects had been taken from St. Petersburg's famed Hermitage museum. At least three people have been detained in connection with that crime, including the husband and son of a museum curator. Authorities say several of the art items have been recovered. Irish Art