An aerial view shows Lake Issyk-Kul during expedition explorations at the underwater site of what is identified by researchers as a submerged medieval city in the settlement of Toru-Aygyr in Kyrgyzstan on September 23, 2026. Situated on an ancient trading route between China and Europe, little is known about the history of the settlement under Kyrgyzstan's largest lake or how it came to be flooded an estimated 800 years ago. The settlement is located at the heart of what was once the Silk Road, a trading route that linked China to the Mediterranean from the 2nd century BC until the mid-15th century. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO / AFP via Getty Images)

Maxim Menshikov, archaeologist and the expedition director, talks to divers as they get ready for a plunge in the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul to explore the underwater site of what is identified by researchers as a submerged medieval city in the settlement of Toru-Aygyr in Kyrgyzstan on September 23, 2026. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO / AFP via Getty Images)

An expedition diver emerges from the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul with the finds from the underwater site of what is identified by researchers as a submerged medieval city in the settlement of Toru-Aygyr in Kyrgyzstan on September 23, 2026. Situated on an ancient trading route between China and Europe, little is known about the history of the settlement under Kyrgyzstan's largest lake or how it came to be flooded an estimated 800 years ago. The settlement is located at the heart of what was once the Silk Road, a trading route that linked China to the Mediterranean from the 2nd century BC until the mid-15th century. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - In this handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on October 4, 2026, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre L) visits with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre R) a damaged building of the Ukrainian Academy of Science in Kyiv, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

TOPSHOT - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) visit damaged building of the Ukrainian Academy of Science in Kyiv on October 4, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany's chancellor arrived in Ukraine's capital on a surprise visit to demonstrate European support in the face of an upsurge in attacks. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-L) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (C-R) arrive to visit damaged building of the Ukrainian Academy of Science in Kyiv on October 4, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany's chancellor arrived in Ukraine's capital on a surprise visit to demonstrate European support in the face of an upsurge in attacks. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) arrive to visit damaged building of the Ukrainian Academy of Science in Kyiv on October 4, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany's chancellor arrived in Ukraine's capital on a surprise visit to demonstrate European support in the face of an upsurge in attacks. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrive to visit damaged building of the Ukrainian Academy of Science in Kyiv on October 4, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany's chancellor arrived in Ukraine's capital on a surprise visit to demonstrate European support in the face of an upsurge in attacks. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)