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The Hermitage museum in St Petersburg has demanded the return of art works loaned to Italy from its collection as the consequences of Russia’s "invasion" of Ukraine and sanctions hit the culture sector, the Guardian's Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida reports.

The Russian state museum, one of the oldest and largest in the world, has asked for pieces currently on display at exhibitions in Milan to be returned by the end of March.

The works include Canova’s Winged Cupid, on show at Milan’s Gallerie d’Italia as part of an exhibition jointly organised with the Hermitage, and Tiziano’s Young Woman with Feather Hat, which is being displayed at Palazzo Reale.

In a letter from Hermitage director, Mikhail Piotrovsky, to both museums, and quoted in the Italian press, Piotrovsky said that the decision, made by Russia’s culture ministry, meant “all outstanding loans must be returned from abroad to Russia”, adding that “the Hermitage is a state museum that depends on the ministry of culture”.

The museum has also asked for Picasso’s Young Woman to be returned from the Fondazione Fendi in Rome, according to Italy’s La Stampa newspaper. The painting had never been shown in Italy before and was due to be on display until 15 May.