The war in Ukraine is destroying peoples' lives — and the country's rich architectural and cultural heritage. Since the beginning of the invasion, Russia has damaged or destroyed at least 450 cultural sites.
Chernihiv Regional Youth Library
Chernihiv was founded in the 10th century, making it one of Ukraine's oldest cities. It was among the first to be attacked when Russia invaded the country in February. Some 70% of the city has been destroyed. A Chernihiv landmark, the 19th century Regional Youth Library, was wiped out by Russian bombs on March 11, 2022.
Mariupol Drama Theater
Mariupol, a Black Sea port city, has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Much of it has been reduced to rubble. For over 60 years, an elegant Drama Theater stood in the heart of Mariupol. During the war, locals sought safety in its basement. But on March 16, Russian forces bombed and destroyed the building, killing some 600 people, according to AP.
Mariupol Arkhip Kuindzhi Art Museum
On March 21, 2022, Russia launched a devastating airstrike against Mariupol's Arkhip Kuindzhi Art Museum. Though dedicated to 19th century painter Kuindzhi, none of his works were housed in the museum at the time of the attack. The Art Nouveau edifice, built in 1902, did however house the works of Ukrainian artist Tetyana Yablonska and others. It remains unclear whether any of them were recovered.
Borodyanka
The small town of Borodyanka, some 50 kilometers (31 mi) northwest of Kyiv, is a quiet, residential place. After over a month of Russian occupation this spring, however, much of it now lies in ruin. Houses, playgrounds, gardens, schools, parks and even monuments — like this bust of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko — were damaged or destroyed.
The Kharkiv Hryhoriy Skovoroda Museum
On May 6, Russia attacked the former home of 18th-century poet and philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda, which today houses a museum to honor his legacy. The building, situated in a Kharkiv suburb, was struck by a shell. A 35-year-old man, supervising the museum, was injured. Fortunately, the collection was not damaged, as it had been moved to a safe place in advance.
Malyn: Pokrovsky Church
On March 6, 2022, Russian invaders launched an airstrike on the central square in Malyn. The walls of the Orthodox Pokrovsky Church were damaged by the blast wave and its windows shattered. The place of worship was built in the mid-1990s.
Izyum
Izyum is the third largest city in the Kharkiv region. Founded in 1681, it was known for its historic churches and residential buildings. Owing to its strategic location, Russia sought to capture it in spring 2022. Enemy shelling, rocket attacks and bombings have destroyed 80% of residential buildings in Izyum. This historic school building, dating from 1882, was heavily damaged.
Chernihiv Regional Youth Library
Chernihiv was founded in the 10th century, making it one of Ukraine's oldest cities. It was among the first to be attacked when Russia invaded the country in February. Some 70% of the city has been destroyed. A Chernihiv landmark, the 19th century Regional Youth Library, was wiped out by Russian bombs on March 11, 2022.
Mariupol Drama Theater
Mariupol, a Black Sea port city, has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Much of it has been reduced to rubble. For over 60 years, an elegant Drama Theater stood in the heart of Mariupol. During the war, locals sought safety in its basement. But on March 16, Russian forces bombed and destroyed the building, killing some 600 people, according to AP.
Mariupol Arkhip Kuindzhi Art Museum
On March 21, 2022, Russia launched a devastating airstrike against Mariupol's Arkhip Kuindzhi Art Museum. Though dedicated to 19th century painter Kuindzhi, none of his works were housed in the museum at the time of the attack. The Art Nouveau edifice, built in 1902, did however house the works of Ukrainian artist Tetyana Yablonska and others. It remains unclear whether any of them were recovered.
Borodyanka
The small town of Borodyanka, some 50 kilometers (31 mi) northwest of Kyiv, is a quiet, residential place. After over a month of Russian occupation this spring, however, much of it now lies in ruin. Houses, playgrounds, gardens, schools, parks and even monuments — like this bust of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko — were damaged or destroyed.
The Kharkiv Hryhoriy Skovoroda Museum
On May 6, Russia attacked the former home of 18th-century poet and philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda, which today houses a museum to honor his legacy. The building, situated in a Kharkiv suburb, was struck by a shell. A 35-year-old man, supervising the museum, was injured. Fortunately, the collection was not damaged, as it had been moved to a safe place in advance.
Malyn: Pokrovsky Church
On March 6, 2022, Russian invaders launched an airstrike on the central square in Malyn. The walls of the Orthodox Pokrovsky Church were damaged by the blast wave and its windows shattered. The place of worship was built in the mid-1990s.
Izyum
Izyum is the third largest city in the Kharkiv region. Founded in 1681, it was known for its historic churches and residential buildings. Owing to its strategic location, Russia sought to capture it in spring 2022. Enemy shelling, rocket attacks and bombings have destroyed 80% of residential buildings in Izyum. This historic school building, dating from 1882, was heavily damaged.