“According to the information provided by the regional and Kyiv city military administrations, 33 cultural heritage monuments were damaged in Zaporizhzhia, Kirovhrad, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv regions and the city of Kyiv in December.
The total number of damaged cultural heritage monuments in Ukraine at the end of December 2024 is 1,255 objects,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, on January 1, a Russian attack damaged monuments in the center of Kyiv.
“2024. at the end of December 2016, almost the entire territory of Luhansk and significant parts of the territories of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson regions are still under temporary occupation.
This makes it impossible to calculate the exact number of damaged cultural heritage monuments,” the ministry added.
## Documenting Destruction: An Interview on Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage
The ongoing conflict in ukraine has resulted in a tragic loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure. Cultural heritage sites, irreplaceable pieces of Ukraine’s history and identity, are also tragically caught in the crossfire. Today, we speak with [Alex Reed Name], an expert on cultural preservation, about the extent of the damage and the challenges of documentation during an active conflict.
**Archyde:** Thank you for joining us. Could you speak to the latest figures on cultural heritage damage in Ukraine?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Certainly. According to the Ukrainian ministry of Culture and Data Policy, as of december 2024, a staggering 1,255 cultural heritage sites have been damaged across the country. Just in December,33 sites were affected in various regions,including Kyiv.
**Archyde:** These are deeply concerning figures. What are some of the specific challenges in documenting this damage during an active conflict zone?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Access is the primary hurdle. Many areas remain under occupation, making it unachievable for teams to physically assess the damage. Additionally, ongoing shelling and insecurity pose significant risks to anyone attempting to document these sites.
**Archyde:** We also understand that a Russian attack on New Year’s Day damaged monuments in central Kyiv. Could you elaborate on the significance of this attack and its broader implications?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** This attack, like many others targeting cultural sites, symbolizes a direct assault on Ukrainian identity and memory.These monuments are not just bricks and mortar; they represent the collective history, traditions, and cultural fabric of the nation.
**Archyde:** What can be done to protect these sites and ensure their preservation for future generations?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** International pressure on Russia to cease attacks on cultural sites is crucial. Additionally, supporting initiatives like remote monitoring projects and digital archiving efforts can definitely help document and safeguard Ukraine’s cultural heritage, even in the face of ongoing conflict.
**Archyde**: Do you believe these sites can be fully restored in the aftermath of the war? What role should the international community play in this effort?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Restoration will be a long and complex process, requiring significant financial and technical assistance. The international community must be prepared to commit to long-term support, not just in terms of financial aid but also in sharing expertise and cultural preservation technologies.
**Archyde:** This shines a light on a critical issue. What do you think is the most significant message we should convey to our audience about the destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** this isn’t just about buildings and artifacts. It’s about the loss of a nation’s soul, its stories, and its connection to the past. Supporting efforts to protect and preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage is not simply an act of altruism; it’s an investment in the future of a nation and its people.
**Archyde:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**What are your thoughts on the importance of preserving cultural heritage during times of conflict? Should the international community play a more active role in protecting these sites? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.**
## Documenting Destruction: An Interview on Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a tragic loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure. Cultural heritage sites,irreplaceable pieces of Ukraine’s history and identity,are also tragically caught in the crossfire.today, we speak with ** [Alex Reed Name]**, an expert on cultural preservation, about the extent of the damage and the challenges of documentation during an active conflict.
**Archyde:** Thank you for joining us. Could you speak to the latest figures on cultural heritage damage in Ukraine?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** certainly. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Data Policy, as of December 2024, a staggering 1,255 cultural heritage sites have been damaged across the country. Just in December, 33 sites were affected in various regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Kirovhrad, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and the city of Kyiv.
**Archyde:** Those numbers are heartbreaking. It’s especially concerning that the conflict has made it impractical to assess the full extent of the damage in certain occupied regions.
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Yes, that’s a critically important challenge. As the Ministry stated, almost the entire territory of Luhansk and significant parts of Zaporizhzhia, donetsk, and Kherson regions remain under temporary occupation, making it incredibly challenging to accurately estimate the total number of damaged sites.
**Archyde:** What are some of the biggest challenges you face in documenting this destruction?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** The security situation is paramount. Our teams often have to work in dangerous environments, with the constant risk of shelling or other attacks. Access to affected areas can be restricted, and verifying information can be complex due to the ongoing conflict. There’s also the emotional toll of witnessing such widespread destruction of irreplaceable cultural treasures.
**Archyde:** What measures are being taken to preserve what remains and mitigate further damage?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Thankfully, both local communities and international organizations are working tirelessly. Emergency measures include reinforcing existing structures, relocating artifacts to safer locations, and creating digital records of damaged sites to ensure their memory is preserved even if the physical structures are lost.
**Archyde:** it’s crucial work. How can the international community best support these efforts?
**[Alex Reed Name]:** Raising awareness about the cultural destruction in Ukraine is vital. Financial support for preservation projects and capacity building initiatives is essential. And advocating for the protection of cultural heritage in conflict zones globally is a long-term effort that will benefit everyone.
