Preserving Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage under Martial Law: Formulating a National Strategy

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to outline the current state of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and to explore the formation of an effective strategy for its preservation in conditions of martial law. The research methodology is based on the use of theoretical research methods, in particular analysis and synthesis to systematise knowledge about the current state of Ukraine’s cultural heritage in the context of martial law and its digitisation. A comparative method to identify effective heritage protection practices, in particular relocation. Generalisation was applied to form conclusions about threats and strategic approaches to its preservation. The scientific novelty lies in the theoretical justification of strategic approaches to the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, taking into account the specifics of martial law, threats to its existence and preservation, as well as the need to adapt the national cultural heritage protection system to the challenges of today. The role of cultural relocation and digital technologies in preserving cultural heritage is substantiated, in particular the training of qualified personnel for cultural institutions who are capable of working with these technologies. Conclusions. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was a turning point for both Ukraine and the world, as it revealed gaps in international legal mechanisms for the protection of cultural heritage. The scale of destruction and the targeted nature of enemy attacks require the development of effective strategies capable of meeting today’s challenges, innovative solutions for the protection of cultural heritage using digital technologies for its preservation, documenting war crimes, creating virtual copies for future reconstruction, which requires the training of qualified personnel in cultural institutions. Another pressing issue is the formation of a national doctrine, a so-called roadmap for the protection of cultural heritage. Despite the difficult conditions of wartime, the activities of cultural institutions, including those that have been relocated, and their specialists remain quite important, as they not only ensure the physical and virtual preservation of cultural heritage, but also contribute to the preservation of national identity.