Ukraine's Ivankiv Museum of Local History Has Been Destroyed by Russian Forces

Invading Russian forces have burned down The Museum of Local History in the Ukrainian town of Ivankiv — located northwest of the capital city Kyiv. Amongst the work that was housed at the modest institution, 25 paintings by the acclaimed Ukrainian folk artist, Maria Prymachenko, were destroyed.

First reported by Kyiv Independent, a number of videos surfaced on Twitter showing the museum set ablaze, resulting in an outpouring of concern from the international community. Prymachenko, who was born in and is buried in Ivankiv, was a self-taught artist who grew up as a peasant but went on to become one of the nation’s most revered artists. Featuring a graphic aesthetic, largely made using gouache and watercolor, Prymachenko created inviting pictorial compositions that drew on Ukrainian folklore and mythology.

The local history museum in #Ivankiv #Kyiv region burned down as the result of the ongoing fighting and invasion #RussiaUkraine. pic.twitter.com/51VB3eh1fS

— Bogdan Voron (@Bogdan_Voron) February 28, 2022

In a statement posted on Facebook, Vlada Litovchenko, director of the Vyshhorod Historical and Cultural Reserve, called the events an “irreparable loss” — directly violating the “basic principles of UNESCO” in which the museum should have been protected under. A number of corporations and global organizations have already imposed strict sanctions — from FIFA and UEFA suspending the Russian national team and its domestic clubs from all major competitions, to a number of Russian banks being cut off by SWIFT — a global financial messaging system that helps facilitate bank transactions around the world.

Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy, has urged UNESCO to revoke Russia’s membership following the violations.

In related news, Pussy Riot co-founder launches a crypto organization to raise funds for Ukraine.