War losses in Ukraine’s culture and tourism sector amount $19.6 billion, – prime minister

Source: Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal

During the conference ‘United for justice. United for the preservation of cultural heritage’, Ukraine’s PM stated that, according to the World Bank’s assessment, losses in the culture and tourism sector of Ukraine amounted to 19.6 billion dollars. These are data only from Ukraine-controlled and liberated territories.

According to the head of the government, 8.9 billion dollars are needed for the long-term restoration of the damaged and destroyed objects.

‘The enemy professes the ideology of total destruction. They destroys residential buildings, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and power plants, factories and farms. In the same way, they erase temples, museums, theaters, historical buildings, monuments,’ Denys Shmyhal said.

In total, more than 900 objects of historical and cultural heritage became the targets of the Russians.

In addition, more than 20,000 cultural monuments of national and local importance are now under occupation.

He noted the importance of careful and correct assessment of damages and losses in the field of culture. According to him, this information will form the basis of the evidence base for international judicial institutions.

The prime minister emphasized that the world needs a precedent of punishment for vandalism and savagery in the field of culture. This will be of great importance for all humankind, for the protection and preservation of the heritage of our civilization, in all parts of the world and on all continents.