Ukrainians strive to protect Kyiv’s cultural heritage amid war

By Davit Kachkachishvili

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) – As Russia continues to carry out airstrikes on parts of Ukraine’s capital, its residents are working hard to save the city’s historic statues and cultural treasures.

Busts and statues in front of art galleries and churches in Kyiv are being protected by municipal workers and volunteers with sandbags and wood planks.

Carrying sandbags and placing them in front of the Opera House around the statue of Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko, regarded as the founding father of Ukrainian music, Vitaly Mishenko said: "We are trying to protect historical artifacts in the city from Russian air attacks as much as possible."

"We have been trying to cover this statue since yesterday. I voluntarily support the Kyiv Municipality in preserving such work,” Mishenko said.

Meanwhile, Vartan Azatian, an employee of the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage at the Kyiv City Administration, said volunteers have responded to the call on social media and are trying to protect the city’s historical heritage.

"Volunteers in Kyiv support us by their own means. They bring sandbags or wood in their vehicles."

Noting that they are trying to protect historical artifacts of national value in the city, Azatian said that when the war started, there was no opportunity to carry out such work but that it has already increased.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan