Crime against memory or cultural genocide? On the destruction of the cultural heritage of Ukraine during Russian aggression in the ХХІ century

Abstract

The relevance of the article is seen in the fact that it is one of the first attempts of systematic scientific research and analysis of the current state of cultural heritage objects of Ukraine which were destroyed or partially destroyed during the Russian aggression against Ukraine, starting from February 24, 2022. There were determined losses, caused by the looting of cultural and art institutions by the occupation forces, and world practices, the experience of various scenarios of reconstruction of cultural objects as well as the measures of European partners aimed at preserving and rebuilding the cultural heritage of Ukraine were analysed. The research methodology is represented by a set of general scientific philosophical methods, including theoretical and empirical levels of cognition, special historical methods of scientific cognition, principles of historicism, scientificity, systematicity, and complexity.