Russia destroys the cultural and historical heritage of Ukraine with bombs

Russia’s bombing of cities with long-range airstrikes and planning bombs has had a devastating impact on Ukraine’s cultural, historical and religious heritage.

This is reported by the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain.

As the summary emphasizes, May 14, 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

In mid-February 2024, UNESCO estimated that Russia had caused damage to Ukraine’s cultural heritage worth $3.5 billion, which would take 10 years and $9 billion to restore.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine reports that as of May 2, 2024, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 1,987 cultural institutions have suffered damage.

The ministry estimated that 1,062 cultural heritage sites had been destroyed or damaged as of May 6, 2024, since the beginning of the Russian invasion, and UNESCO separately confirmed damage to 129 religious sites as of April 10, 2024.

In March 2022, the majority of citizens (56%) of Ukraine were convinced that the main goal of the Russian invasion was the complete destruction of the Ukrainian people.

In addition, in May 2024, the majority (74%) of Ukrainians believe that missile strikes on energy facilities are a long-term strategy of the Russian Federation aimed at destroying the Ukrainian energy industry.

“As the war continues, the Russian military machine will most likely continue to damage the historical and cultural heritage of Ukraine,” the British Ministry of Defense noted.