As a result of Russian shelling of the historical center of Chernigov on August 19, the Drama Theater named after T. Shevchenko was completely destroyed, another architectural monument of national importance was damaged This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. It is noted that as a result of the impact of a Russian rocket, the Chernihiv Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater named after T. Shevchenko – an architectural monument of local importance – was completely destroyed.
In addition, the architectural monument of national importance Pyatnitska church was damaged. It is included in the sphere of responsibility of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Ancient Chernihiv”.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine added that the historic city center with a thousand-year history of Chernihiv is a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is also reported that this year the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, together with the regional and city administrations, started work on adding the cultural landscape of the city of Chernigov to the List of Cultural Heritage Sites under threat.
“Russia, as a terrorist country, systematically destroys the cultural heritage of Ukraine, causing irreparable losses not only to Ukrainian, but also to world culture. Once again, we call on the world community to isolate the aggressor, as well as finally to deprive Russia of its membership in UNESCO”, – emphasized the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.
Russian missile attack on the center of Chernihiv: what is known
On the morning of August 19, 2023, Russian troops hit the center of Chernihiv with a ballistic missile. 7 people died and 144 were injured, including 15 children and 15 police officers. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, noted that a Russian missile directly hit the Palace of Culture on the city’s central square. Due to the shock wave, the roofs of five-story buildings were damaged.
Most of the injured residents of Chernihiv were outside the theater at the time of the attack – walking through the city center, returning from church (after all, on August 19, Yabluchnyi Spas is celebrated), or traveling in public transport.
“Just as the bus came to a stop, there was an explosion, and that was it, everyone was on the floor, smoke was everywhere. I felt that I was leaking a little. She got off the bus by herself. Thanks to the police who were there, they put me in the car one of the first and brought me to the hospital. I was processed, stitches were applied. I feel more or less normal. I don’t know, maybe it’s still a shock,” recalls Nina Mykolaivna, who was injured as a result of the shelling.
According to the State Emergency Service, as a result of a Russian ballistic strike, the roof of the drama theater collapsed, followed by a fire. The glazing of the windows of 3 State fire and rescue units was also damaged.
Residents of Chernihiv whose homes were damaged by a rocket will be helped to restore their homes. From Monday, a special headquarters will start working in the city to deal with the consequences of the Russian attack.
“Many public organizations, Ukrainian and international, have volunteered to provide financial assistance and construction materials to the residents of Chernihiv whose apartments were damaged. There will be a simple form that you can fill out and get this help. The city, the community, and the communal enterprises that serve these houses will definitely get involved. I think, promptly, in the shortest possible time, we will eliminate the damages that the apartments of Chernihiv residents received”, – stressed the Acting chairman of Chernihiv Oleksandr Lomako.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi also reported on the shelling of Chernigov.
“This is what a neighborhood with a terrorist state is, this is what we unite the whole world against. A Russian missile hit right in the center of the city, in our Chernihiv. The square, the polytechnic, the theater,” the president wrote.
In addition, Oleksandra Denisenko, a correspondent from the scene of the events, reported that an exhibition of drone manufacturers was taking place in Chernihiv at the time of the Russian missile strike.
Subsequently, the co-organizer of the drone exhibition, Maria Berlinska, reported that during the announcement of the air alert, the event was stopped, and the participants were repeatedly stressed the need to take shelter. However, according to her, some people went to the street.
She also added that the event and its venue had been officially agreed with the local authorities in advance.
The announcement, published the day before in the Victory Drones Telegram channel, testifies to the event. It invited manufacturers, the military, flying schools and socially responsible businesses to demonstrate drones.
The event was scheduled for Saturday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. At the same time, the organizers did not specify the exact venue. The specific location was announced only to registered and verified participants a few hours before the event. It is noted that the event was held jointly with the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration and the Brave1 defense technology cluster.
At the same time, the press service of the Chernihiv City Council stated that the exhibition did not agree with the local authorities. According to them, “no permits were issued”.
Due to the Russian terrorist attack in Chernihiv, three days of mourning were announced from August 19 to 21.