Ukrainian Intelligence Reveals Looting of Over 1,200 Artworks in Kherson
Ukrainian intelligence exposes the massive theft of over 1,200 cultural treasures from Kherson under Russian occupation.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to a post by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (HUR) on Facebook.
On the third anniversary of the liberation of Kherson, the Main Intelligence Directorate published information on the War&Sanctions portal about 1,233 works of art stolen by the occupiers from the Oleksii Shovkunenko Kherson Regional Art Gallery.
During the occupation of the city, Russian military personnel, under the guidance of museum workers from the Russian Federation, systematically removed exhibits — paintings, graphics, sculptures, and iconography. Part of the collection was subsequently illegally transported to the temporarily occupied Crimea.
The list of stolen items includes works by famous Ukrainian and European artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Peter Lely, Maria Prymachenko, Mykola Pymonenko, Ivan Aivazovsky, and Serhiy Vasylkivsky.
The HUR emphasizes that the systematic theft of cultural heritage is part of Russia's aggressive policy of destroying Ukrainian national identity.
“By stealing and appropriating Ukrainian cultural heritage, Russia is trying to eradicate Ukrainian national identity and justify its aggression and occupation. Documenting these crimes is an important step toward restoring justice and bringing those responsible to justice,” the statement said.
One of the largest cultural lootings during the full-scale war took place in the fall of 2022, when Russian occupiers removed more than 10,000 exhibits from the Oleksii Shovkunenko Kherson Regional Art Museum in five days.
Museum director Alina Dotsenko said that the institution is currently operating remotely, partly online and with a branch in Kyiv, as the main building in Kherson is under constant shelling and at risk of destruction. The museum, located in the historic building of the City Duma, has been damaged by blast waves, and Russian reconnaissance drones constantly circle above it.
Despite the difficult conditions, the museum team continues to work on documenting crimes and returning stolen valuables. Interpol is involved in this process.
The international community is also actively supporting Ukraine's efforts. The French association “Pour l'Ukraine, pour leur liberté et la nôtre!” has already filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, calling the looting of Ukrainian museums the greatest destruction of cultural heritage in Europe since World War II.
Kherson and the right bank of the region were under Russian control from the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The city became the only regional center captured by the occupiers after that date.
On November 11, 2022, the Ukrainian military liberated Kherson from Russian occupation. The de-occupation completed the Kherson offensive operation.
Currently, the city is under daily attack by Russian drones and artillery, and people are dying.
As The Gaze reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the third anniversary of Kherson’s liberation, vowing that Ukraine will free all territories still under Russian control.