THE DESTRUCTION OF UKRAINE’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AT WAR AS A PROBLEM: A PHILOSOPHICAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The article describes the statistics of cultural heritage monuments in Ukraine, which are listed by UNESCO and have been destroyed, ruined and damaged during the armed aggression of Russian forces. The global problem of modernity that emerged from the 2014-2022 Russo-Ukrainian war is the loss of cultural heritage and artistic styles that reflect the historical life of the state through the language of art. Cultural heritage is not only architectural sacral temples, monasteries, theatres, cinemas, museums, exhibition halls, libraries, public buildings, parks, and squares, but also moving monuments of cultural origin: spiritual books, tableware (chalice), icons, frescoes, mosaics, jewellery belonging to the arts and crafts, films, literary works, museum collections, exhibits, works of fine art, artefacts from archaeological finds reproducing one of the areas of artistic culture - the Art. The historical, cultural and spiritual-artistic heritage is a major resource for the strategic development of the state and an important component of Ukrainian culture, defining the civilisation and cultural potential of the nation. There is an apt statement that saving culture is at the same time-saving people, which might suggest that by saving cultural heritage Ukrainians are defending their own national identity.