Post by HATA Hub

The destruction of cultural heritage is not only an attack on physical landmarks; it is an attack on the stories, values, and identity that connect generations. This has been a recurring feature of russia's policy toward Ukraine for centuries: suppressing the Ukrainian language, denying Ukrainian identity, rewriting history, and destroying cultural heritage. The strikes we witness today are part of a much broader attempt to erase the memory, culture, and historical continuity of a nation. Over one day, several of Ukraine’s most significant cultural sites were damaged by deliberate and precise russian strikes, including: • Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ukraine’s most important historical and spiritual landmarks. • Kharkiv Art Museum, home to valuable collections of Ukrainian art and a protected architectural monument. • Mystetskyi Arsenal, one of Europe’s largest cultural and museum complexes. • Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, where the destruction of Ukraine’s largest costume archive resulted in the loss of more than 100,000 historical garments and millions of archival items. These attacks come amid a broader pattern of damage, destruction, and looting of cultural heritage across Ukraine since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion. Cultural heritage is protected under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Preserving cultural heritage is not only a national responsibility—it is a global one. We call on international institutions, cultural organizations, businesses, and partners to continue supporting the protection, documentation, and preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Transparency, accountability, and international cooperation remain essential to safeguarding irreplaceable cultural assets for future generations. Our support goes to the museum professionals, archivists, filmmakers, preservationists, and cultural workers who continue their work under extraordinary circumstances to protect Ukraine’s history and identity...