Russians destroy Kharytonenko Palace in Sumy Oblast
Russian attacks have destroyed the Kharytonenko estate, a locally significant architectural landmark 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: Footage posted by the media outlet shows the building on fire. The estate is about 15 km away from the border with Russia.
The palace, which stood in a large park, was built in 1890 and funded by Ivan Kharytonenko, a sugar magnate, philanthropist and well-known Sumy resident. After his death, the estate was bequeathed to his niece Mariia Leshchynska, which is why it is also known as the Leshchynskyi estate.
The building's original layout was destroyed in Soviet times, when its halls were converted into student accommodation-style rooms and used as tourist facilities. Later, the estate began to deteriorate and was in need of 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 turning it into a cultural and educational arts centre.
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture has reported that 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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