Russia says 2.8-ton chunk of Aletai meteorite disguised as garden ornament found being smuggled to U.K.

February 5, 2026

TL;DR

Russian investigators prevented a 2.8-ton meteorite fragment from being smuggled to Britain.
The fragment was disguised as a garden ornament and discovered in a sea container at the port of Saint Petersburg.
It is believed to be from the Aletai meteorite, one of the largest known iron meteorites.
A criminal investigation has been opened by prosecutors.
The fragment is estimated to be worth $4.2 million.
Scientists have raised ethical concerns about the sale of meteorites due to their research value.
The Aletai meteorite was discovered in western China in 1898 and is at least 4.5 billion years old.

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