Photo: Alina Bodnar / UNITED24
The recent adoption of the Declaration “Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Ukraine” by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe marks an important step in recognising the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The document notes that as a result of deliberate actions by the aggressor state, 1,169 cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged, including the historical centres of Lviv and Odesa. These attacks not only inflict physical harm on cultural landmarks but also aim to obliterate Ukrainian cultural identity.
Cultural heritage is a crucial component of national identity. The destruction or damage to historical, architectural, and artistic sites in Ukraine can be seen not just as war crimes but also as an attempt at genocidal policy. Attacks on cultural objects indicate Russia’s intention to erase Ukrainian identity, subjugate the people, and impose an alternative cultural paradigm.
Particularly alarming is the fact that the destruction of cultural heritage is accompanied by attempts to forcibly change the identity of residents in occupied territories. The imposition of the ideology of the Russian world is part of Moscow’s imperial policy toward Ukraine. This clumsy attempt not only distorts history but also seeks to conquer the consciousness of the people, trying to convince them of the supposed superiority of Russian culture over Ukrainian.
Russia must be held responsible for its crimes against Ukraine, including the destruction of its cultural heritage. The international community must demand justice and compensation for the damages inflicted. Restoring the destroyed cultural heritage and protecting Ukrainian identity are vital tasks for the country’s future.
In the light of these events, the Declaration of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe becomes not just a document but also a symbol of the struggle to preserve Ukrainian culture. It calls for international solidarity in protecting cultural heritage, an integral part of Ukrainian national identity. The world cannot afford to be indifferent to attacks on the cultural values that define the Ukrainian nation. It must stand against Russia’s efforts to obliterate Ukraine’s national identity, history, and culture.
