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Ukrainian Soldiers Rescue 12th-Century Stone Babas From Frontline Zaporizhzhia
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian soldiers from the 128th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade “Dyke Pole” of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have successfully evacuated unique 12th-century stone monuments, known as “stone babas,” from the frontline town of Novomykolaivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.
According to a report by the brigade on Facebook on March 2, the mission was organized after military personnel realized that several buildings near the local museum had already been destroyed by Russian guided aerial bombs (KABs), leaving the historical artifacts at high risk of being lost forever.
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The rescue was initiated by Dmytro Kaiuk, a professional historian currently serving in the 128th Brigade. While working on an exhibition for the brigade's fourth anniversary, he learned that the museum's collection had not yet been moved to safety.
“It turned out that my former student works at that museum,” Kaiuk noted. “She confirmed that the exhibits had not been evacuated. I approached the brigade commander, and he gave permission to save the stone babas, even providing the necessary equipment.”
The operation was conducted with the assistance of Zaporizhzhia historian Petro Boiko to ensure the artifacts were handled according to preservation standards. Kaiuk remarked that the team had to work extensively with shovels to dig out the heavy statues, one of which was particularly large.
In addition to the 800-year-old stone figures, the soldiers also managed to rescue the museum's most valuable paintings and historical findings. All items have been transferred to a cultural institution for safekeeping until the end of the war.
The term “baba” is derived from the Turkic “balbal,” meaning “ancestor” or “grandfather,” rather than the Ukrainian word for grandmother. These anthropomorphic sculptures are characterized by a tall, bulbous shape, flat facial features, and folded hands. Carved details often include items such as belts, necklaces, and cups.
Historically, these statues were placed on high mounds by various groups, including the Cimmerians, Scythians, and Polovtsians (Cumans). While male figures often featured weapons, female statues typically held bowls.
Over time, many were relocated and repurposed as construction materials or grindstones, resulting in the loss of original details. A local legend suggests these figures were once giant warriors turned to stone after attempting to conquer the sun.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, efforts to preserve these relics have shifted from archaeological study to emergency rescue. Ukrainian cultural authorities, in coordination with the Dnipro National Historical Museum and military units, have accelerated the removal of Polovtsian figures from the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Earlier, it was reported that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a total of 1,685 cultural heritage sites and 2,483 cultural infrastructure facilities in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed.
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-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
