Russia loots Ukrainian museums, digests occupied territories

Oleksiy Kopytko, a former advisor to ex-Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, has shed light on Russia's cultural manipulation and exploitation in occupied Ukrainian territories through a detailed analysis on his Telegram channel

While public discourse often centers around political exchanges, such as recent remarks by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Kopytko emphasizes the importance of focusing on facts. He highlights how Russia has been systematically integrating occupied territories into its framework, including through cultural and historical initiatives.  

Museum operations as a propaganda tool  

One striking example of Russia's activities is its exploitation of museums in occupied territories. In April 2022, under the directive of Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), a museum group was established under the Russian Ministry of Culture. Its mission: to curate exhibits that glorify Russia’s “special military operation” and discredit Ukraine.  

By late April 2022, these exhibits were launched and standardized, touring across Russia and targeting foreign audiences. This initiative was driven by Naryshkin’s personal interest in historical projects and SVR's oversight of international museum relations. Moreover, since Russian forces were operating abroad in Ukraine and the so-called “people’s republics,” this fell under the SVR’s mandate.  

Systematic normalization of occupation  

From mid-2022, Russian authorities began leveraging museums to “normalize” occupation. Before the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions in September 2022, initiatives such as "Our Traditions" were already underway in occupied Luhansk. Operated by the Victory Museum and involving over 13 federal museums, this project aimed to present a Russian cultural narrative in these territories. By year’s end, more than 20 museums were actively involved in these propaganda efforts.  

In March 2023, a law was passed to formalize the integration of Ukrainian museums into Russia’s system. This legislation mandated the inclusion of all Ukrainian museum collections into Russia's State Museum Fund by the end of 2027, effectively transferring ownership. The pretext of "protecting cultural heritage during wartime" was nothing more than a facade for outright theft.  

Escalating cultural appropriation  

The scale of this operation is evident in the growing number of Ukrainian museums absorbed into Russia’s system:  

- August 2024: 8 museums integrated.  

- November 2024: 17 museums.  

Current count: 36 museums officially documented, with more likely unreported.  

This blatant cultural appropriation underscores the real intentions behind Russia’s actions in Ukraine: territorial and cultural annexation.  

The role of museums in international relations  

Kopytko warns that Russian museums are being used as tools to influence international perceptions. Under the guise of cultural diplomacy, they attempt to reestablish ties in Europe and beyond. Recent exhibitions in Luxembourg and upcoming events like “Russian Seasons” in Bahrain and Oman demonstrate these efforts.  

These museums, deeply implicated in the theft of Ukrainian cultural heritage, serve as an extension of the SVR. Kopytko stresses that international partners must recognize this and hold Russia accountable.  

Implications for the global community  

The Russian narrative of "demilitarization" and "denazification" is contradicted by its actions. The theft and assimilation of Ukrainian cultural assets reveal a broader agenda of occupation and control. This reality needs to be communicated to global partners to counter Russia's attempts to distort the truth and expand its influence under false pretenses.  

By exposing these activities, the international community can better address the real causes of Russian aggression and ensure cultural heritage is protected.

• Russian army has damaged 33 cultural heritage sites in regions including Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv