Among the thousands of lives that have already been lost during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, there have been multiple attacks on infrastructure, priceless art pieces, and historic sites within the country.
Kyiv and Kharkiv have been shelled for the first time since 1941.
Two men gave such an order — you know their names.Ballistic missiles in the Ukrainian capital today👇#StopRussia #RussiaInvadedUkraine pic.twitter.com/tOEJsFf1cO
— Stratcom Centre UA (@StratcomCentre) February 28, 2022
Despite Russian claims that only military infrastructure would be targeted, it is clear that the invasion has become a multifaceted, widespread attack on the Ukrainian people and their culture.
The following is a list of five irreplaceable cultural pieces from Ukraine, a country with several world heritage sites, that have been lost due to Russian bombings and attacks:
Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum
This museum housed dozens of works by Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko, who was greatly admired by Pablo Picasso.
The Russian army burned the building on February 27.
As a result of 🇷🇺 invasion, about 25 works by outstanding 🇺🇦 artist Mariia Pryimachenko were burned. The paintings were stored in Ivankiv Museum, Kyiv region. She created world-famous masterpieces. Her special gift and talent captivated Pablo Picasso.
🖼️“Two-headed chicken, 1977” pic.twitter.com/dfAyfkn1k9— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) February 28, 2022
Shchorsa Cinema
The Shchorsa Cinema, located in Chernihiv’s main square, was one of the oldest theatres in all of Ukraine. It had recently been transformed into the Chernihiv Youth Center. Enemy rockets destroyed the site on February 27.
🔴 In Chernihiv, 16 people were injured by enemy rockets in the city center. Damaged houses, pediatric dentistry. Youth Center large Shchorsa cinema are destroyed. #StopRussia #StopRussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraine pic.twitter.com/B5ONjkGw48
— Stratcom Centre UA (@StratcomCentre) February 27, 2022
Babyn Yar
Babin Yar was a holocaust memorial site and historical ladnmark in Kyiv. Nazis killed over 33,000 Jews at the site during World War II.
On March 1 the area was bombed, killing five nearby innocent civilians.
Russian troops fired on the TV tower, near the Memorial complex #BabynYar.
Russian criminals do not stop at anything in their barbarism. Russia = barbarian. pic.twitter.com/MMJ6wSfpsS
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) March 1, 2022
Freedom Square
Kharkiv’s Freedom Square is among the 10 largest public squares in all of Europe. It has often served as a central location for political rallies and protests.
On March 1, the square was severely damaged by Russian missiles.
Barbaric Russian missile strikes on the central Freedom Square and residential districts of Kharkiv. Putin is unable to break Ukraine down. He commits more war crimes out of fury, murders innocent civilians. The world can and must do more. INCREASE PRESSURE, ISOLATE RUSSIA FULLY! pic.twitter.com/tN4VHF1A9n
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 1, 2022
Mriya (the world’s largest aircraft)
At 85,000 kg, the Antonov An-225 Mriya was the largest aircraft ever built. The plane was somewhat of a tourist attraction as people often visited airport just to see it in person.
On February 24, the aircraft was destroyed when Russian forces attacked Hostomel Airport.
A symbol of hope in the darkest hours of COVID, 🇺🇦’s Mriya (Dream), the world’s largest plane, carried vast quantities of life-saving vaccine and PPE around the globe. It is now destroyed by Russian invaders in its war against Ukraine and the wider world#StopRussianAggression pic.twitter.com/rXMkfO9qWc
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) February 27, 2022
If you are interested in helping Ukraine, you can donate to these organizations that are supplying medical aid to those on the front lines:
Fundraiser for Sunflower of Peace
You can also donate to this organization that helps children affected by the war in Ukraine: