Russians destroy Kharytonenko Palace in Sumy Oblast
Russian attacks have destroyed a locally significant architectural landmark – the Kharytonenko estate in the village of Kyianitsia, Yunakivka hromada, Sumy Oblast. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]
Source: local media outlet Kordon.Media
Details: The published footage shows the building burned and destroyed. The estate was located about 15 kilometres from the border with Russia.
The palace was built in 1890 with funds from philanthropist and Sumy-based sugar industrialist Ivan Kharytonenko, and it also featured a large park. After the sugar magnate's death, the estate was bequeathed to his niece Mariia Leshchynska, which is why the landmark is also known as the Leshchynskyi estate.
In Soviet times, the building's authentic layout was destroyed, with its halls converted into student accommodation-style rooms and used as tourist facilities. Later, the estate began to deteriorate and required restoration. It is currently under the management of Sumy National Agrarian University.
In 2018, Sumy architects worked on a restoration plan for the Kharytonenko Palace, with the aim of creating a cultural and educational arts centre after completion.
According to the Ministry of Culture, as of early April 2026, the Russians have destroyed or damaged 1,723 cultural heritage sites and 2,524 cultural infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
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