More than 660 objects of cultural heritage were damaged by the Russian army in Ukraine
The extent of the destruction caused by Russian aggression in the field of culture will finally become clear only after the end of the war. Today, information is being collected and damages are being assessed. Currently, more than 660 damaged objects are known. On July 27, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Kateryna Chuyeva told about this.
According to her, it is still impossible to get to most of the territories to assess the destruction.
“We are currently collecting information together with regional administrations regarding the destruction and damage assessment of cultural heritage sites. Unfortunately, from what can now be claimed, there are 664 objects, not counting those that were damaged during the last two weeks in Lviv and Odesa. These figures are still being supplemented and clarified,” Chuyeva said.
She noted that the number of damaged objects is constantly increasing.
“More and more new facilities are also appearing in the territories affected by the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP dam. But the main part of the territory, which, for example, is still mined or the territories located on the front line or behind the front line, are not accessible to Ukrainian researchers or representatives of the local authorities of Ukraine, unfortunately,” said the deputy minister.
Chuyeva drew attention to the fact that it is still impossible to calculate exact figures for the amount of damages.
“But, for example, according to preliminary estimates of the Lviv City Council, the objects that were damaged in Lviv two weeks ago are a complex of historic residential buildings in the UNESCO buffer zone, and their restoration will cost more than UAH 100 million. And this is only according to preliminary estimates, it is only minimal work and the restoration of some historical elements,” she informed.
The official added that Ukraine had not faced such volumes of destruction and damage since the Second World War.