Конструктивістська архітектура Харкова за умов російської експансії 2022–2024 років

The paper covers a wide range of sources, including Ukraine’s official state registers of heritage sites, the “HeMoHeritage” database of damaged cultural sites, and informational materials from news outlets. It addresses the relevant but underexplored issue of the loss of Constructivist buildings in the city of Kharkiv during the full-scale Russian military invasion from 2022 to 2024, within both historical and cultural contexts. The study finds that as a result of Russia’s criminal missile attacks on Kharkiv—which constitute gross violations of international humanitarian law (including the Geneva and Hague Conventions)—at least 30 Constructivist architectural sites in the city have been damaged or destroyed. Among the most prominent examples affected are two monuments of national importance, one of which—Derzhprom (the House of State Industry)—isincluded in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. The other isthe iconic “Slovo” Building. In addition to these major landmarks, a significant number of lesser-known yet culturally valuable Constructivist buildings have also been destroyed. Notable among them are the “Building of Projects” and the “Building of Cooperation.” Other affected structures include buildings of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, residential buildings in the Zaderzhpromia area, and facilities such as the “Derzhstrakh,” “Donvuhillia,” and the “Zaliznychnyk” Palace of Culture. These sites contribute significantly to the architectural identity of Kharkiv and form an integral part of both national and global cultural heritage. While the majority of the studied buildings sustained light damage, several suffered moderate damage—such as Derzhprom—and others were heavily affected. Heavily damaged sites include the “Tabachnyk-Knyzhnyk” building, the “Kharkiv Palace” Hotel, a residential building at 91 Myronosytska Street, and the “Zaliznychnyk” Palace of Culture. Although light damage has largely been repaired, the restoration of more seriously affected structures is a long-term endeavor. It will depend on the evolution of the military conflict, adequate funding, the availability of qualified specialists, and the resolution of various bureaucratic obstacles. Future research on this topic has significant potential, particularly in the context of restoring damaged Constructivist buildings, examining Russian-Ukrainian relations in historical retrospect, and documenting Russian crimes against national cultural heritage at international political, academic, and cultural forums.