Russian authorities destroy UNESCO World Heritage site and replace it with an outdoor theater

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Russian occupation authorities in southwestern Crimea destroyed the UNESCO-listed city of Chersonesus and built an outdoor theater at the site of the excavations, according to a senior researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The city of Chersonesus was an ancient Greek colony founded over 2,500 years ago on the territory of Crimea. In 2013, UNESCO listed the “Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora” as a World Heritage Site. Despite Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, UNESCO still recognizes the site as part of Ukraine.

Evelina Kravchenko, a senior researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, revealed that Russian authorities have destroyed the original sights by constructing new buildings and therefore, destroying their authenticity. Between 2015 and 2016, Russian developers fenced off archaeological remains at the site, including towers, walls, and columns with viewing platforms. An ancient open-air theater was constructed on the site of the ancient citadel, putting about a ton of extra weight on the original structures. Most of the archaeological artifacts, such as frescoes, dishes, household items, and icons, were taken to Russia. A new city was built on the site of the archaeological remains, with several excavated objects removed and rebuilt in different locations.

UNESCO recently reported that 412 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites have been destroyed since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. In addition to the destruction of historical sites, Russian forces also destroyed a monument to early 20th-century revolutionary Nestor Makhno on May 23 in Huliaipole, a town in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The destruction of cultural heritage and historical monuments underscores the importance of supporting independent journalism in Ukraine to bring awareness to these critical issues. Join the fight to protect Ukraine’s history and cultural heritage.