The Cultural Heritage Impact of The Russia-Ukrainian War

Authors : Yasemin Koçak Bilgin, Eda Hazarhun

Pages : 307-321

View : 82 | Download : 108

Publication Date : 2023-12-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the Russia-Ukrainian War on the cultural heritage of Ukraine. News texts from national and international online news sites between March 02, 2022, and June 25, 2022 were subjected to content analysis for this purpose. The qualitative data analysis program MAXQDA 2020 was used in the coding process of the data’s content analysis. As a result of the content analysis, which was conducted through a qualitative approach, four main categories were identified regarding the impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on cultural heritage: ‘Measures to be taken to stop Russia’s cultural heritage destruction’, ‘Causes of cultural heritage destruction’, ‘Measures taken or to be taken for the preservation of cultural heritage’ and ‘The cultural heritage impact of the Ukraine- Russia War’. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been heavily damaged, many of them have disappeared, and the remaining ones continue to be looted. It is also been reported that Russian soldiers have stolen artifacts from museums and kidnapped museum directors. Attacks on cultural heritage sites have been carried out by Russians to destroy Ukrainian culture and erase their cultural memories. Sanctions should be imposed on Russia for the damage they have caused to cultural heritage. They should not transport cultural heritage from the occupied areas, and Russia should be dismissed from UNESCO. They should also be tried by war crimes tribunals. Several measures have been taken to protect cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, including the establishment of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Protection Centre, digitization of cultural heritage, rescue training for local people, placing sandbags as barriers in cultural heritage sites, educating military personnel to respect cultural heritage, monitoring damage to cultural heritage sites by UNESCO with satellite images, online meetings with cultural heritage experts, establishing no-fly zones, placing international blue shield signs in cultural heritage sites, restoration of damaged areas, obtaining various funds, and moving artworks to museum shelters.
Keywords : Russia Ukrainian War, Cultural Heritage, Damage, UNESCO