Russia's Foreign Minister has expressed gratitude to the United States for finding and repatriating 28 historical Russian documents that were illegally taken to the United States during the 1990s.

The 18th and 19th century documents were handed over to Russian authorities on March 3 during a ceremony at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Moscow.

They included imperial decrees, military records, and architectural drawings that were stolen from Russia's state archives and later listed for sale by auction houses, art galleries, and individuals.

The Kremlin said the return was the result of "pragmatic, nonpolitical" cooperation between U.S. and Russian police.

The United States has repatriated hundreds of documents and historical artifacts in the past as part of ongoing cooperation with Russian law-enforcement authorities.

Based on AP, TASS, and Interfax

