Ukraine's Culture Minister says 2 million heritage sites under occupation
Photo: Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russia continues to attack not only Ukraine's infrastructure but also its cultural heritage. Approximately 2 million cultural heritage sites are under occupation, and more than 1,700 institutions, including museums, theaters, and libraries, have already been destroyed, according to the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi at the forum "Diplomacy Today: Ukraine's Role in Global Politics."
The enemy's goal – Ukrainian identity
According to Mykola Tochytskyi, Russian aggression targets not only the physical destruction of infrastructure but also the erasure of Ukrainian national identity.
"Where is our long-time enemy aiming? It targets not just buildings but our identity. Nearly two million of our cultural heritage elements are currently under occupation," the minister said.
Systematic removal of cultural treasures
The minister emphasized that Russians are systematically removing Ukrainian cultural treasures from Russia. They aim to rewrite history by appropriating Ukrainian cultural achievements.
"Through various means, starting with the Principality of Chernihiv, these treasures are being transported to Moscow or St. Petersburg. They seek to prove that Russia is the foundation of our history. But this is absolutely untrue," Tochytskyi stressed.
The scale of cultural infrastructure destruction
Mykola Tochytskyi also reported that the war has already led to the destruction of approximately 1,700 artistic and cultural institutions in Ukraine.
"We all know and remember the Mariupol Drama Theatre, but there are already thousands of such institutions," he said.
Among these are museums, theaters, libraries, and architectural monuments that are an integral part of the national heritage.
Preservation of culture
The extensive destruction and theft of cultural treasures indicate Russia's intent to erase Ukraine's uniqueness as an independent state. Preserving cultural heritage and documenting Russian crimes remain key tasks for Ukraine amid the war.
As reported earlier, during a Russian shelling in the village of Yunakivka, Sumy region, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a national heritage site of great cultural importance to Ukraine – was damaged.
In addition, on April 4, 2022, Russian forces shelled a church in Rubizhne, Luhansk region. Two priests were injured in the attack.
