Category: War in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, including those under the protection of UNESCO, according to the Culture Ministry.

Moscow destroys cultural monuments not only with missile or drone strikes. Several historical monuments are under occupation, where Russian occupation authorties carry out so-called restorations, changing the authentic appearance of sites or destroying them completely, erasing all possible references to Ukrainian or Crimean Tatar culture.

As of Oct. 16, UNESCO confirmed the damage to 457 sites, including 143 religious sites, 231 buildings of historical or artistic interest, 32 museums, 33 monuments, 17 libraries, and one archive.

"It's not only the killing of children, elderly people, or soldiers, not only the occupation of our land and expropriation of our assets, but the destruction of our cultural heritage and built environment and immovable heritage," Jenia Gubkina, a Ukrainian architect and architectural historian from Kharkiv, told the Kyiv Independent.

Faith under fire: Russia’s war on religion in Ukraine’s occupied territoriesRussia’s war and occupation of large swaths of Ukraine have led to hundreds of churches being damaged or destroyed, dozens of priests killed or kidnapped, and entire religious groups that don’t conform to Moscow’s brand of Orthodoxy being banned. With entire Ukrainian cities being leveled by Russia…The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Lviv Old Town

Lviv, a city in Ukraine's west known for its splendid architecture, lies just about 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) east of the Polish border and has become a relative safe haven for internally displaced Ukrainians.

Yet, Lviv saw a number of Russian drone and missile attacks, with at least two strikes damaging buildings located in the city’s historic area and the UNESCO buffer zone.

In early September, Russia struck Konovaltsia Street, which hosts buildings dating back to the late XIX-early XX century.

One of the residential buildings hit by a Russian Kinzhal ballistic missile was home to the Bazylevych family, a husband and wife and their three daughters.

The attack killed six people, including six-year-old Emilia Bazylevych along with her 43-year-old mother, Yevhenia, and two sisters, 21-year-old Daria and Yaryna, aged 18 and 21. Only their father, Yaroslav, survived.

Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa

The historical center of the southern city of Odesa was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in January 2023. In July of that year, a Russian missile strike damaged more than 20 architectural monuments in this part of the city and heavily damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral.

One person was killed and at least 22 injured, according to local authorities.

The Transfiguration Cathedral, Odesa's foremost Orthodox church, was built in 1794. The Soviet regime destroyed the original building in 1936, and the new cathedral was built in the early 2000s.

Italy and UNESCO signed an agreement under which Rome allocated 500,000 euros (about $542,000) for the restoration of the cathedral in Odesa.

The ancient city of Chersonesus

A number of Ukrainian cultural heritage sites have been in peril since Russia’s invasion in 2014.

Over the years, Russia has excavated huge areas in occupied Crimea and appropriated the found artifacts. It also demolished several cultural heritage sites that have been around.

Russia has partially destroyed the city of Chersonesus, an ancient Greek colony founded over 2,500 years ago, located within the city limits of occupied Sevastopol. The ancient city of Tauric Chersonesus were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013.

Throughout Russia's occupation, the original sights were replaced with new buildings.

Derzhprom in Kharkiv

Derzhprom, or the State Industry House, is the latest cultural site attacked by Russia.

An iconic 13-story building is located in the very heart of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, and was hit by a guided aerial bomb on the evening of Oct. 28. The site was first damaged during a Russian attack in early January.

Kharkiv’s historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardmentsLate on Oct. 28, an explosion rang out in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Situated just over 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border, loud explosions have become part of daily life in Kharkiv as Russia continues to attack the city with drones, missiles, and aerialThe Kyiv IndependentElsa Court

Completed in 1928, Derzhprom was one of the first skyscrapers built in Eastern Europe and is internationally renowned for its constructivist design using reinforced concrete and glass.

In 2017, Derzhprom was added to UNESCO's preliminary list, and after Russia's full-scale invasion, was placed under provisional enhanced UNESCO protection.

"It is the city's hallmark, so we will officially apply to UNESCO (to help recover the building). Our international department is working to get this process started," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

Biosphere reserve Askania-Nova

The nature reserve was founded in 1898 and has been under Russian occupation since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Askania-Nova in the Kakhovka district of Kherson Oblast is a member of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, and its area is 333.08 square kilometers (128.6 square miles).

The reserve was home to 3,500 animal species before the start of the all-out war. Before the all-out war, Askania-Nova was visited by about 150,000 tourists a year.

Ukraine is currently unable to monitor the territory of the facility and take care of the animals, some of which have already been illegally transported to Russia and the Russian-occupied Crimea. The Russian military also hunts rare species, according to reserve's director, Viktor Shapoval.

"Firstly, some species are kept in small enclosures and require daily care. Secondly, there are heat-loving animals that are moved to winter quarters for the winter. It is clear that without proper support, these animals are simply doomed to die," Shapoval said.

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Bakhchysarai Palace

The Bakhchysarai Palace or Khan's Palace, listed on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List, is the only preserved example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture worldwide. It was the main residence of Crimean khans, the leaders of the Crimean Khanate (1441–1783), and the state's administrative and political center from the the mid 16th century.

The palace in Bakhchysarai is a unique Crimean Tatar architectural monument.

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Russian forces had been destroying the Khan's palace in Bakhchysarai, calling it "repair and restoration work," former director of the Bakhchysarai Historical and Cultural Reserve Elmira Ablialimova told Ukrinform in January 2023.

The monument had undergone "irreversible changes," and Russians were carrying out repair and restoration work even where there was no need, Ablialimova said.

As a result of the actions of the Russian proxies, the roof of the Khan's Mosque was dismantled, causing severe damage to the building and destroying its authentic appearance. The frescoed walls and stained glass windows were also damaged, and a huge crack appeared on the wall of the Secular Building of the Khan's Palace due to violations of restoration requirements, according to the Ukrainian Institute.

For years, Russia has blocked all appeals and attempts by Ukrainian authorities and activists to allow specialists and the UNESCO monitoring mission to participate in the restoration.

The Genoese fortress

The Genoese fortress in occupied Sudak, Crimea, like the Khan's Palace, has been under Russian occupation since 2014.

The construction of the Genoese fortress, which is on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List and is part of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv," lasted about a hundred years, from 1371 to 1469. The fortress stands on a 157-meter-high mountain called Kyz-Kule-Burun, an ancient fossilized coral reef. Due to its location, the fortress is almost unassailable.

In November 2015, a part of the ancient tower of the Genoese fortress collapsed, a local media QHA reported, citing its undisclosed source close to the committee for the protection of the cultural heritage of the Russian-occupied Crimea.

The alleged reason for the destruction is that Russian occupation authorities were building hotels and toilets on the territory of the site.
Nelia Kukovalska, director general of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv," told Crimea.Realities, a project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, in May 2019 that the Genoese fortress was also at risk of landslides.
"Since the annexation of the peninsula, illegal and unprofessional work has been carried out at the site, and no one is monitoring the landslide situation… We observe an increase in seismic activity there, and there is a danger," Kukovalska said.

Introducing official
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Hostile drones have been spotted in the airspace of Kyiv region, and air defense forces are operating. Residents are urged to stay in shelters until the end of the air alert.

Enemy drones have been spotted in the sky over Kyiv region, air defense forces are operating, UNN reports, citing the Kyiv RMA.

"Kyiv region. A UAV was spotted in the airspace. Air defense forces are working on targets," the statement said.

The RMA urged residents of the Kyiv region to stay in shelters until the end of the air raid.

"Take care of your own safety. Observe information silence – do not record or post the work of our defenders online," the statement reads.

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An air alert has been declared in a number of regions.

The Ivan Mazepa corvette being built by Turkey for Ukraine has successfully passed artillery tests. The ship is equipped with modern weapons systems and enhanced air defense.

The Ukrainian Navy has tested the future flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the Ivan Mazepa corvette. UNN reports with reference to the Navy Commander.

The Corvette continues to successfully pass state tests. During artillery firing, it demonstrated excellent results, accurately hitting air, sea and ground targets

– the statement said.

The ship is reportedly equipped with modern weapons systems that significantly increase its combat capabilities. All previous technical comments have been taken into account, and the modernization is focused on ensuring maximum efficiency and protection in combat. In particular, air defense capabilities have been strengthened.

Recall

The Hetman Ivan Mazepa , a multi-purpose corvette-class ship, is being built by Turkey for the Ukrainian Navy. This ship is to become the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy. The corvette is a type of anti-submarine corvette in the coastal zone. Such ships are part of the MILGEM project, designed primarily for the Turkish Navy.

Second Ukrainian corvette Hetman Vyhovsky launched in TurkeyAugust 1 2024, 07:43 PM • 88552 views

Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 563 soldiers who died fighting against Russia, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on Nov. 8.

The Geneva Conventions stipulate that those who lose their lives during war are entitled to a dignified burial. As of early March, Ukraine has identified more than 2,800 bodies and body fragments offallen soldiers, according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

The bodies of 320 soldiers were recovered from Donetsk Oblast, while 89 were brought back from Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Another 154 bodies were repatriated from morgues in Russia.

“Law enforcement officials and forensic experts will identify the killed,” the headquarters wrote in a post on Telegram.

The operation to recover the fallen soldiers involved several government and military agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and the Armed Forces.

The headquarters also thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance.

In late February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that about 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed during the full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian soldiers react to Trump’s victory: ‘This could be a disaster,’ others say Biden was ‘impotent’Donald Trump claimed victory in the U.S. presidential elections on Nov. 6, bringing additional uncertainty for many Ukrainian soldiers who already struggle to see the future of the war. Though doubt looms over Trump’s moves in the coming months, his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir…The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

The North Atlantic Council issued a statement condemning military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. NATO member states called on Russia to comply with international obligations and UN resolutions.

NATO Allies strongly condemn the decision of the leaders of Russia and the DPRK to dangerously expand Russia’s unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine. The Kremlin was called upon to comply with its international obligations. This is stated in the statement of the North Atlantic Council on the DPRK, UNN reports.

Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.

“NATO Allies strongly condemn the decision of the leaders of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to dangerously expand Russia’s unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine. In addition to the DPRK’s already substantial support for Russia’s military efforts through the provision of millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles, the thousands of combat troops deployed by the DPRK are a dangerous expansion of its ongoing support for Russia’s illegal aggressive war against Ukraine,” the statement reads.

It is noted that the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK has a profound impact on Euro-Atlantic security with consequences for the Indo-Pacific region.

NATO also notes that the expansion of military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a violation of a number of UN Security Council resolutions, including 2270 (2016), 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009). This is especially egregious given Russia’s status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

“We call on Russia to return to the implementation of these resolutions and to comply with its international obligations,” the statement reads.

It is also noted that Russia’s statement of September 26 that the denuclearization of the DPRK is “not under consideration” is unacceptable, as it undermines the global non-proliferation regime, directly contradicts the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and further exacerbates regional tensions.

“Russia’s announcement is part of its broader efforts to undermine the global non-proliferation regime and the lifting of UN sanctions. We call on all countries not to provide any assistance to Russia’s aggression and condemn all those who facilitate and thereby prolong Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine,” the statement reads.

Rutte wants to discuss with Trump countering threats against the backdrop of Russia’s cooperation with China, North Korea and IranNovember 7 2024, 11:39 AM • 15828 views

In addition, it is noted that NATO will continue to work with its partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, to promote peace and stability and prevent Russia and those who contribute to its military efforts from undermining regional and global stability.

Allies continue to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defenses against all threats and challenges in all domains and across multiple strategic domains in the Euro-Atlantic area.

“Allies remain as determined as ever to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to win. Allies and partners continue to step up critical political, military, financial, economic and humanitarian assistance as Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defense, enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter,” the statement said.

It is emphasized that the allies are determined to support Ukraine in building forces capable of defeating Russian aggression, in line with the promise of long-term security assistance to Ukraine.

An explosion was recorded in Mykolaiv, as reported by the mayor Oleksandr Senkevych. The Air Force has previously warned of the possibility of ballistic missile attacks from Crimea.

The explosion occurred in Mykolaiv amid a ballistic threat. This was reported by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, UNN informs.

"An explosion was heard in Mykolaiv! More details later," Senkevych said.

Earlier, the Air Force warned of the threat of ballistic missile attacks from Crimea.

The Presidents of Ukraine and Finland had a phone conversation on defense cooperation and international efforts for peace. They discussed the situation on the frontline and the threats posed by North Korea's involvement in the war.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with President of Finland Alexander Stubb the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense, the situation at the front, the threats posed by North Korea's involvement in the Russian war against Ukraine, and the continuation of defense cooperation. Zelenskyy announced this on his Telegram channel, UNN reports.

"I had a phone conversation with President of Finland Alexander Stubb. We discussed the successful holding of a thematic conference in Helsinki on item eight, "Environmental Security," as well as further international efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

He noted that he expressed his gratitude to Alexander Stubb for his active position in promoting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter when communicating with the countries of the Global South.

The two sides also discussed the situation on the battlefield, as well as the threats posed to regional and global security by North Korea's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine, and the continuation of defense cooperation between Ukraine and Finland.

"I conveyed the current defense needs of Ukraine to strengthen air defense and supply additional air defense equipment," Zelensky added.

Recall

The President of Ukraine held talks with the Prime Minister of Hungary at the summit of the European Political Community. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of equal relations and discussed the issue of national minorities.

A representative of the GUR denied that MP Shevchenko was an intelligence officer. The MP had previously called on Zelenskyy to negotiate with Putin and showed his GUR ID.

People's Deputy Yevhen Shevchenko, who called on President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to start a dialogue with Russia, is not an employee of the Main Intelligence Directorate. This was reported to UNN by a representative of the GUR, Andriy Yusov.

"Of course, I am not an employee. Those statements that are anti-state should be checked by state authorities and law enforcement agencies," Yusov said.

Addendum

Yesterday, on November 7, MP Shevchenko called on the President of Ukraine to negotiate with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on his Telegram channel.

Shevchenko also called for the return of MPs suspected of treason to the session hall.

In 2022, Shevchenko presented a certificate from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine as proof that he was indeed serving in the intelligence service.

The head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, responded to the MP, noting that "some MPs seem to be confused about national security, national interests and the future of the country.

"If in their minds national interests = Ukraine's defeat, then they are making a big mistake in the interests of Russia. The plan for Ukraine's victory, the peace formula, is the path to justice," said Yermak.

In Lubny, elevators were temporarily suspended due to the mobilization of a maintenance specialist to the Armed Forces. The city authorities announced that the elevators had resumed operation, but the issue was only temporarily resolved.

In Lubny, Poltava region, elevators in buildings were suspended due to the mobilization of an elevator maintenance specialist to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The city council assured that the elevators have been restored, but the issue has been resolved temporarily. This was reported by the Lubny City Council, according to UNN.

"Starting from 07.11.2024, at 17.00, in order to prevent accidents, the operation of elevators in the buildings serviced by LKZHU has been temporarily suspended due to the mobilization of an elevator maintenance specialist to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The elevators will be immediately resumed once a new service provider is found. All residents will be recalculated for the period of elevator downtime," the city council said.

Later, the city council reported that the elevators had resumed operation, but the issue was temporarily resolved.

Recall

The President's website has posted a petition demanding that women be mobilized to reduce gender inequality. The author of the petition emphasizes the violation of women's constitutional rights, as the duty to defend the homeland is equal for all citizens.

The Biden administration has allowed U.S. defense contractors to work in Ukraine to maintain the supplied weapons. The contractors will stay away from the front line and will not take part in combat operations.

In recent months, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to allow U.S. defense contractors to work in Ukraine to maintain and repair weapons provided by the Pentagon. U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday this was a significant policy change aimed at helping Kiev fight russia, reports UNN.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the contractors would be few and far between and far from the front lines. They will not be involved in combat operations.

They will help ensure that U.S.-provided equipment “can be repaired quickly if damaged and maintained as needed,” the official said.

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The publication notes that since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United States has provided Kiev with tens of billions of dollars in weapons. But Kiev has had to either move the U.S.-provided weapons out of the country for overhaul or rely on videoconferencing and other creative solutions to repair these systems domestically.

Restrictions in the past have sometimes slowed repairs and become increasingly difficult as the U.S. has supplied Kiev with more sophisticated systems such as F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, officials said.

A lot of equipment in the country is not being used because it is damaged, a second U.S. official told Reuters.

The move is the latest easing of restrictions by the Biden administration, which has sought to help Ukraine defend itself against a 2 1/2-year-old invasion by moscow without directly confronting nuclear-armed russia.

A third U.S. official said the decision would push the Pentagon into line with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which already have U.S. contractors in Ukraine.

The official added that no U.S. troops would be needed to protect contractors in Ukraine, and that issues such as security and risk mitigation would be the responsibility of those companies contracting with the Pentagon.

Some U.S. defense contractors have been sent to Ukraine in small numbers in the past, servicing weapons not supplied by the Pentagon, the official said.

Given that there is already a “wide range of U.S. companies” that have personnel in Ukraine performing contracts for the Ukrainian government, there will not be a significant increase in the number of U.S. employees working on the ground, the first official said.

The decision comes at a critical moment for the conflict. Russian troops are advancing at the fastest pace since Ukraine first repelled their invasion on the outskirts of Kiev in early 2022. Ukraine, for its part, has launched its first major incursion into russian territory.

Still, it's unclear how sustainable the policy change will be, given that the Biden administration has so little time left. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the scale of U.S. military and financial support for Kiev and vowed to quickly end the war with Russia, without saying exactly how. Trump takes office on January 20.