Online project memorializes Ukrainian artists killed by Russia
A new online project, Killed by Russia: Ukrainian culture makers, honors Ukrainian cultural figures killed in the war, its initiators told NV.
The online project seeks to hold war crime perpetrators accountable through international advocacy for victims. It also aims to honor deceased cultural figures through memorial events, media initiatives, and book projects.
“We have partnered with public and state institutions to ensure that the materials we collect can be used for advocacy by Ukrainian and international human rights activists, journalists, diplomats, and politicians — to tell the world about the talented Ukrainians killed by Russia, their legacy, and the genocidal war Russia is waging against our culture and identity,” the project’s creators said.
The platform currently lists 181 Ukrainian cultural figures killed by Russia. However, the organizers acknowledge that this is not an official or exhaustive record, as more crimes will come to light over time. They encourage the public to share information at killedculturemakers@gmail.com.
The list includes those who contributed to Ukrainian culture, including authors, cultural institution builders, activists for whom culture was a primary profession, and individuals whose work influenced local communities.
The project tracks losses from the full-scale war (2022–2025) as reports of killed cultural figures continue to rise. Organizers are exploring ways to expand coverage to the entire war period, starting with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
The initiative is co-led by Ukrainian PEN, INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Interaction, Memorial Memory Platform, Raphael Lemkin Society, Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, ZMINA Human Rights Center, and NeMo: Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab.
The project, Killed by Russia: Ukrainian culture makers, is coordinated by Ukrainian journalist and Ukrainian PEN communications manager Diana Delurman.
More details are available on the initiative’s website.
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