Full-scale war claimed at least 98 Ukrainian cultural figures’ lives — Canadian Ambassador

Ukrinform reported the information.

Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc said that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine claimed the lives of at least 98 Ukrainian cultural figures.

"Over the past 23 months, the war has claimed the lives of at least 98 Ukrainian artists, writers, musicians, directors, dancers," said Cmoc.

She noted that Russia's shelling has damaged or destroyed nearly 2,000 museums, monuments, libraries and cultural infrastructure in Ukraine.

The Canadian ambassador shared that she recently visited the Superhumans center in Lviv, where she met a dancer who had voluntarily gone to the front and lost his leg. According to her, despite such a great loss for him as a dancer, he tried to move even with a prosthesis.

"The Russians are trying to destroy Ukrainian identity, but they will not succeed because Ukraine has an undeniable wealth of cultural talent and heritage and because your work in rethinking culture in times of war is truly skillful and inventive," the diplomat emphasized.

Cmoc added that the international community is aware of the need to support Ukrainian culture, including as a component of Ukrainian resistance and resilience, and assured that Canada will help preserve and develop cultural organizations and communities most affected by the war.

• From February 24, 2022, to December 25, 2023, 872 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine were destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian aggression.