Espreso. Global
Exclusive

"Lost for Ukraine": expert on Chersonesos destruction in Crimea

Alona Myshakova
15 August, 2024 Thursday
17:06

Elmira Ablyalimova, an expert from the Crimean Institute for Strategic Studies, discussed the destruction of parts of Chersonesos in temporarily occupied Crimea by Russia

client/title.list_title

She spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"Russia is appropriating and enhancing its culture and history by claiming other people's achievements as its own. Chersonesos is a prime example of this, where Russia tries to create a false connection between Byzantium, Vladimir, and Russia. This misuse of historical artifacts for political purposes is evident. The scale of archaeological excavations we’ve seen over the past 10 years is massive, not only in Crimea but also in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the expert said.

Elmira Ablyalimova also noted that six Russian archaeological teams excavated the reserve's territory.

“The most significant destruction happened in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora. The reserve responsible for preserving this site until 2014 was called Chersonesos Tavriya. The southern suburb of Chersonesos, including the Southern Necropolis, was particularly affected. Our monitors have recorded that over six Russian archaeological teams have been working there. Unfortunately, there have been no publications about their findings. As a result, this part of our heritage is now lost to Ukraine, our science, and our history," she said.

The expert noted that Russians are transforming the reserve into a religious institution.

“The most interesting aspect is that this area has been inhabited for the longest period, making it particularly valuable for studying the monument. This situation reflects the appropriation of other people's achievements and the attempt to forge connections between Byzantium, Russia, and Vladimir. Furthermore, the Russian Orthodox Church had a plan, which still seems to exist today, to establish a monastery on the reserve’s territory. In 2017, they aimed to hold more than two dozen premises within the reserve. This idea is not dead, it continues to be pursued. The reserve is being turned into a religious institution and a site that supports a political ideology,” added Elmira Ablyalimova.

  • Ukraine's Ministry of Culture began consultations with the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Secretariat over illegal Russian construction at Tauric Chersonese.




 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Saturday
8 February
20:00
Review
AIM-120 missiles: how Ukraine’s F-16s, NASAMS counter air, missile threats
19:40
Debate on peacekeepers in Ukraine are “inappropriate and premature”, says Scholz
19:26
Russia's artillery superiority decreased fivefold over past year - Ukraine’s top general
19:05
Putin expands Russian army for war, and not just against Ukraine — Zelenskyy
18:41
Exclusive
Ukraine’s defeat may prove to be strategic catastrophe for West - Russian opposition politician
18:18
Russian airstrike on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region injures family
17:51
Ukraine’s Kursk operation aims to prevent Russian advance on Sumy, Kharkiv regions - Zelenskyy
17:24
Exclusive
Attacks on Ukrainian military enlistment offices signal new phase of war - Ukrainian officer
16:55
Ukrainian forces shoot down Russian Su-25 in Donetsk region
16:30
Captain involved in killing 59 civilians in Hroza village, Kharkiv region, dies in Russia
15:45
Exclusive
Russian opposition politician warns against dangerous concessions in Ukraine-Russia talks
15:11
Review
Results of Ukraine's Kursk incursion and why North Korean troops don't surrender. Serhiy Zgurets' column
14:41
Ukrainian police evacuate family from Sumy border region amid Russian drone threat
14:10
Exclusive
Russians cut power, communication in occupied territories to move equipment closer to Dnipro River
13:30
Exclusive
Russian troops seek to secure right bank of Oskil River, expand bridgehead in Kharkiv region
13:02
Exclusive
Putin is going to deceive Trump - political scientist
12:28
Hegseth to attend Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels
11:58
Drones hit Russia's Rostov-on-Don, targeting Southern Military District HQ, key sites
11:30
 123 combat clashes reported on Feb. 7: Ukrainian forces stopped 30 attacks in Pokrovsk direction
10:50
Mother and child injured in Russian attack on Kherson, houses catch fire
10:25
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 67 out of 139 Russian UAVs, 71 drones lost locally
2025, Friday
7 February
21:10
Exclusive
Trump helps Ukraine trying to reduce Russia's resources for war - political expert Tsybulko
20:50
Old prototype, new hype: Russia displays aging Su-57 in India
20:31
Trump says he may meet with Zelenskyy next week
20:10
Ukrainians in Сongress: Key takeaways from Ukrainian Week in Washington
19:46
OPINION
Avoiding Afghanistan’s fate...
19:20
Exclusive
Mirage 2000 could replace Soviet Su-24s for strikes on Russian targets
18:56
Spanish soldiers practice storming trenches
Spanish army shows how it storms trenches based on Ukrainian military experience
18:31
Claims of Toretsk’s occupation false, fighting continues - DeepState analysts
18:10
Russia's defense industry fails to meet Russian army's needs
17:40
OPINION
Trump, metals, and weapons: Why Ukraine trades lithium and titanium for security guarantees
17:10
Ukraine debunks fake news about Russia’s alleged Oreshnik missile strike on Feb. 6
16:45
Exclusive
'U.S. influence on Russia': military expert on slowdown of Russian advances
16:23
Russian guided bomb downed over Zaporizhzhia: is Ukraine’s air defense entering new era?
16:01
Ukrainian Air Force successfully shoots down Russian guided bomb over Zaporizhzhia
15:40
'Russia tried to kill us': survivors expose truth behind Sudzha airstrike
15:19
Frozen Russian assets are matter of U.S. interest — Ukraine's Deputy Prime Stefanishyna
14:57
OPINION
Elections and large-scale war
14:34
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Pokrovsk frontline stabilized, but more concerning front looms — military analyst
14:11
Kremlin forced to respond as reports reveal Russia using donkeys, horses for frontline logistics
More news