Russians destroy National Chornobyl Museum in Kyiv and damage museums, churches, theatre and universities – photos
A theatre, a philharmonic hall, two museums, a library, universities, a church, a monastery and various architectural landmarks have been damaged in Kyiv due to a Russian attack on the night of 23-24 May.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia (Life)
Details: Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna said that the night of 23-24 May saw the largest number of cultural institutions damaged in Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war.
The National Philharmonic of Ukraine, the National Music Academy of Ukraine, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, the Ukrainian House and numerous architectural landmarks sustained damage.
Quote from Berezhna: "Experts and relevant services are currently documenting all the consequences of the attack and assessing the extent of the destruction. Russia systematically targets culture and spaces that shape Ukrainian identity. They are trying to destroy our memory. But Ukrainian culture has endured before, and it will endure now."
Details: A missile strike destroyed a building next to the Dominican Monastery and the St Thomas Aquinas Institute of Religious Studies in Kyiv, Fr Jaroslaw Krawiec reported.
Quote from Krawiec: "In our monastery, many windows and doors were shattered and damaged. Our cells – the rooms where we live – as well as the chapel, the auditorium, and the lecture halls of the Institute of St Thomas Aquinas were affected. Thanks be to God, none of the brothers nor our guests were harmed – for which we are deeply grateful. Unfortunately, some of our neighbours were injured by shrapnel.
It was one of the worst nights in our area since the beginning of this war. We commend ourselves to your prayers…"
Details: Tymofii Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), a private university, reported that windows and doors were blown out in two of the main buildings. One employee was injured in the attack, but there were no fatalities.
A building belonging to the Educational and Scientific Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service at Kyiv's Taras Shevchenko National University was also damaged in the attack, said acting rector Valerii Kopiika.
The Museum of One Nation in Poshtova Square reported that the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the Podilskyi district was damaged by the blast wave and falling debris from Russian aerial assets.
The attack also damaged the nationally significant architectural landmark known as the Postal Station. Museum staff said that windows in the building were shattered.
In the same district, the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (Kyiv Opera) was damaged, forcing it to cancel a performance of the ballet Thumbelina that should have taken place tonight.
The Russians also damaged the National Art Museum of Ukraine, one of the oldest museums in the country, the Ministry of Culture reported.
No museum staff were injured and the collection, which includes tens of thousands of works of Ukrainian art ranging from icons and classical paintings to contemporary works, was not affected.
Museum employees are currently inspecting the building, which is listed due to its architectural significance, to document and assess the extent of the damage.
Quote from Berezhna: "The National Art Museum of Ukraine is a place where the history of Ukrainian art is preserved. Russia systematically attacks civilian infrastructure and cultural institutions. Every such strike is an attempt to intimidate us and destroy our identity. We are documenting all damage and continue to work to restore our damaged cultural heritage."
Details: The National Chornobyl Museum has been almost completely destroyed by the Russians. Numerous architectural landmarks have sustained damage, including the Contracts House. The museum is located in a reconstructed historic building that dates back to the early 20th century.
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Background:
- On the night of 23-24 May, Russian forces carried out a large-scale combined attack on Ukraine, launching 90 missiles, including an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, and 600 drones of various types.
- Kyiv was the primary target of the attack. At least two people were killed and 78 were injured. Multiple residential buildings across the city were hit.