Shrines, mosques, and synagogues are reporting heavy damage. Even orthodox churches organized by the Moscow Patriarchate are not safe from what looks like cultural genocide.
Ancient churches and monasteries dating back to the 11th century are being bombed. This is a widespread problem in the Ukraine towns and cities where Russian occupation is in place. Many irreplaceable religious items are being looted or destroyed. And there is little doubt that it is intentional.
The communists in the early days of the Soviet Union used similar tactics. They tried to “wipe out” many historical sites.
Kharkiv was the capital of Soviet Ukraine, filled with architectural and historic monuments created in the Soviet era. Even those religious and historical items that celebrate Russia are not safe.
Ukrainian libraries are also being hit by deadly bombs. Russian shelling of the Chernihiv Scientific Library, an architectural monument of the 20th century, has decimated the building. And the Chernihiv Youth Library, an architectural monument of the 19th century has been hit. Most of the books from the libraries remain under the rubble.
