The strategy of Hitler and Stalin: Severe cultural losses in Ukraine after Russian attacks

Legendary cave monastery

Ukrainian media report “severe damage” to the approximately 140 above-ground buildings of the legendary Cave Monastery, to which the cathedral is a part. The monastery has been on the World Heritage List since 1990. The world cultural and educational organization Unesco protested against the Russian attack on the world heritage site in Ukraine yesterday afternoon and offered help with rescue and security work.

The Kyiv “Lavra” – an honorary title of Orthodoxy awarded to this monastery in 1833 – is considered one of the centers of Orthodox Christianity. From here the missionary work of the East Slavic peoples began in the early Middle Ages. Founded in 1073 by order of Grand Duke Sviatoslav II of Kyiv as the main church of the Cave Monastery, the cathedral was considered the most important sacred building of the Rus’ Empire and Old Russia.

Roaring Cossack Baroque

In the 18th century it was redesigned in the lavish “Cossack Baroque”, fell into disrepair after the Bolsheviks conquered Ukraine in 1919 and became part of an anti-religion museum. After the capture of Kiev by the German Wehrmacht in 1941, the building was blown up – whether by German or Soviet troops is controversial. But both Hitler’s and Stalin’s strategy was characterized by destroying culturally significant buildings of subjugated nations and thereby depriving them of their symbols of independence.

This is exactly what the reconstruction of the Uspenskyi Cathedral since 1998 has been about: today it is not only considered to be of great religious and historical importance, but also as a symbol of a Ukraine that is resistant to pressure from Russia.

Historical sites and buildings were also targeted in Chechnya and Georgia

Certainly the roof of the cathedral was set on fire as a result of Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv. It is not yet clear whether it was a direct attack on the Ukrainian church or “collateral damage” from falling weapon parts. But the threat to the facility posed by Russia’s war against Ukraine alone is a breach of international law. Above all, however, the calculated or accepted destruction of this cathedral in particular fits into a pattern of Vladimir Putin’s war policy.

His troops have already targeted historical sites and buildings in Chechnya and Georgia. In Ukraine, too, since the beginning of the war in 2014, churches, village ensembles, city complexes and museums, cultural palaces, churches and monasteries, especially those of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, monuments, libraries and archives have been systematically attacked, looted and destroyed.

According to UNESCO, more than 500 cultural sites of national importance are now affected. Ukraine lists more than 900, including more than 150 churches. Yesterday’s attack also hit the important archive of the Ukrainian Film Institute next to the Cave Monastery: more than 3 million costumes, decorations and archive materials were burned.

The National Art Museum in the city center was hit again, as were the National Library, the University Library and historic modern buildings in Kharkiv a few days ago. Putin’s strategy continues to be: not only should Ukraine be defeated, but all anchor points of national self-confidence should also be destroyed.