Kyiv:

Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February last year, more than 500 churches have either been destroyed or damaged in attacks. The research project Churches Under Fire has documented the attacks on churches in the Eastern European nation.

The goal of the research initiative is to chronicle the “destruction of cultural heritage to bring the Russian Federation to justice for this war crime in the future”, said Iryna Lysenko, the head of the project, during a recent press conference. The project also includes and online platform where one can access and collect pictures and videos of the destroyed and damaged churches and monasteries.

According to Lysenko, it is not just the Orthodox Church of Ukraine whose churches were targeted in the attacks. Even the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church had their places of worship targeted. 

According to the scientific consultant involved in the research, Yuriy Chornomorets, the destruction of churches in aerial strikes and bombings was barbaric. He said the Ukrainian army was trying to save churches from destruction and vandalism by not taking up positions next to them. 

It was on August 10 that the historic Holy Intercession Cathedral in Zaporizhzhia was hit by a Russian missile causing damage to the structure and sacred objects. 

Specialist in documenting heritage for criminal proceedings Roksolana Makar said Ukraine has the full right to demand justice in international courts for the enormity of what the Russian military is doing to Ukrainian churches and cultural monuments.