Ukraine Identifies Russian Colonel Behind Destruction of Skovoroda Museum

The Security Service of Ukraine found out the identity of the Russian colonel who ordered the attack on the Hryhorii Skovoroda National Literary and Memorial Museum in the Kharkiv region in May 2022. He was informed about the suspicion in absentia.

According to the investigation, the order to carry out an airstrike on the museum was given by the commander of the 159th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, Ivan Panchenko.

Russia used a Su-35S multi-purpose fighter jet, which fired a Kh-35 type turbojet anti-ship missile at the memorial complex.

According to available data, the Russian colonel continues to command airstrikes in various regions of Ukraine.

On the basis of the collected evidence, the investigators of the Security Service informed Panchenko in absentia about the suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 28 and Part 1 of Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

On May 7, 2022, Russia destroyed the 18th-century building, which at one time was a home for Hryhorii Skovoroda, a prominent Ukrainian poet and philosopher. 

This is one of many examples of Russia targeting Ukraine’s historical heritage. At the end of June it became known that Russian occupational authorities destroyed the Chersonesos Taurica in Crimea, a UNESCO World Heritage site of historical significance.