Growing number of cultural sites destroyed by Russians: seven identified in a week
Victoria Andrieieva — Journalist, Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia
As of 30 July, 450 cases of Russian destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage have been recorded.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy reports that 14 sites have been completely destroyed.
The occupiers have damaged and destroyed:
- 23 sites of national significance;
- 105 sites of local significance;
- 108 valuable historical buildings;
- seven newly discovered cultural heritage sites.
Experts have confirmed that the Russians have completely destroyed Saint George's Orthodox Church in the village of Zavorychi and the Ascension Orthodox Church in the village of Lukianivka in Kyiv Oblast.
"Unfortunately, these numbers are not final, and experts continue to refine the lists of damaged religious buildings. Currently, about 50 more cases are under review," said Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy Kateryna Chuieva.
The Ministry of Culture added that 346 works of art and cultural institutions have been damaged as a result of the occupiers' actions.
Most often, the Russians have hit theatres, cultural centres and libraries; 111 buildings have been damaged.
The Russian occupying forces have destroyed 48 monuments and 34 buildings belonging to museums and nature reserves.
Background: On 22 July, the Ministry of Culture reported that 434 cultural sites had been damaged.
