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.
After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.