Ukraine Warns of “Cultural Genocide” at UNESCO Summit in Paris
At the 8th Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on cultural property protection, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Serhii Bieliaiev, delivered a stark warning on the scale of cultural devastation inflicted by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking in Paris, Bieliaiev called for stronger global efforts to prevent the illicit transfer of cultural heritage and highlighted the deepening cultural crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion, The Gaze reports, referencing the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
“These numbers continue to grow as the attacks persist and cultural assets are systematically destroyed. This cultural genocide is part of Russia’s broader strategy to undermine Ukraine’s national identity,” Bieliaiev said.
He expressed gratitude to UNESCO for its ongoing monitoring of the situation in Ukraine and acknowledged Moldova’s support in hosting a regional training on curbing the illegal trafficking of Ukrainian cultural items.
According to Bieliaiev, as of 2014, Ukraine’s museum collections totaled over 12 million items. Today, more than 1.7 million are located in Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea.
Over 34,000 items have been stolen from de-occupied areas, such as the Kherson Regional Museum of Local Lore (23,217 objects) and the Kherson Regional Art Museum (10,223 objects).
As of April 25, 2025, 1,453 heritage sites have been damaged, and cultural institutions in 309 Ukrainian communities—including libraries, museums, and theatres—have been destroyed or affected.
The overall cultural damage is estimated to exceed $29 billion, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bieliaiev emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation, particularly under the 1970 UNESCO Convention on prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukrainian Art & Culture at Risk: Frontline Evacuations and Preservation Efforts