The terrorist attack on the Kakhovka Dam has jeopardized the existence of dozens of cultural, archaeological and historical monuments, as well as protected areas in Ukraine. Learn more about the national values destroyed by russia

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On the night of June 6, russia committed another terrorist attack, which became the largest man-made disaster in Europe in recent decades, endangering not only the lives of thousands of Ukrainians but also provoking a food crisis around the world. In addition, dozens of Ukraine's cultural and historical treasures of national and international significance are under threat of destruction.

Read more about why putin ordered the hydroelectric power plant to be blown up here.

What is the current situation in Kherson region?

A rescue operation is underway in southern Ukraine, with the left-bank Kherson region suffering the most, as it is geographically located lower than the right bank. At the same time, the russian occupiers do not allow either Ukrainian forces or local volunteers to rescue people in flooded villages.

On the right bank of the Dnipro, Ukrainian volunteers, the military, and the State Emergency Service are making every effort to save people and animals in the flooded areas. 

Archaeological and cultural sites that are under threat of destruction as a result of the Kakhovka Dam explosion

The settlement and fortress of Tyahyn of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

For many years, a unique archaeological site of national importance has been investigated in the village of Tyahynka, located on the banks of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. Today, the site is under water, and therefore the entire archaeological complex with the settlement and fortress may be lost forever, because in addition to the actual flooding of the territory, the flood is characterized by a strong and rapid current that can cause erosion and destruction of archaeological finds.

Scythian mounds

Near the village of Mykolaivka, which was also in the flood zone, there are three Scythian mounds included in the lists of national heritage of Ukraine. Also, unique samples of molded and rounded ceramics were found on the territory of the modern village. 

Polina Raiko's house-museum

The house is one of the few representatives of Ukrainian naive art, or as it is also called ar-brutus. It is located in the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky, which is already more than 90% flooded. Experts note that there is a great threat that the house will not withstand prolonged exposure to water.

Ancient Rus port city of Oleshnya

This place is called the archaeological pearl of the Kherson region, because unique artifacts of ancient Rus, where Kyivan princes ruled, were found on the territory of the Velykopotemkin Island. Today, the port city is underwater. 

Ochakiv gate

The Ochakiv Gate is part of Kherson's defensive fortifications, which was built in 1783. The architectural monument is one of the oldest buildings in the Kherson region and an object of national importance.

Green farms of Tavria

This unique architectural and natural complex includes an authentic museum of Ukrainian folk life of the XV-XX centuries and world-famous pink lakes. In addition, the Green Farms are located on the site of ancient farms, which are also a national heritage of Ukraine. 

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Protected areas and zoos

According to the State Agency for Tourism Development in Ukraine, 80% of the Nizhnedniprovsky National Nature Park is currently flooded. This place is known not only among Ukrainian biologists but also among European experts, as the reserve is home to rare floodplain forests, swamps, and sandy steppes. In addition, the park had about 30 species of unique plants included in the IUCN Red List.

Also under threat of flooding are the Oleshky Sands and the Kinburn Spit, which is part of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO protected area. As of now, the Kinburn Spit has turned into an island, and it is no longer possible to travel or enter the protected area due to flooding. 

On June 6, it became known that the territory of the Fairy Tale Grove Zoo, which the local population was trying to preserve with all their might despite the occupation, was under water. Only swans and ducks were able to escape, and at the time of the flooding, the zoo had 240 animals and birds, including monkeys, raccoons, ponies, Cameroon goats, sheep, marmots, chinchillas, pheasants, and other representatives of the animal kingdom. 

At the same time, thousands of other animals living in the towns and villages of Kherson region were in mortal danger. Volunteers and charitable organizations from all over Ukraine joined together to save their lives.

Visit Ukraine has joined the mission to rescue the animals affected by the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam and launched an urgent collection to help our little four-legged friends who are trapped in a deadly trap in the Kherson region. 

Please join in to help the affected animals by following the link, let's take a step towards rescue together! 

Your donations will help save lives and provide food, shelter and medical care for thousands of defenseless animals.

Main photo: Alexey Konovalov

We remind you! In 1996, Ukraine was made to believe that the world was tired of the terrible world war and refused to solve problems by force of arms. But as time has shown, this is an absolute lie. To learn more about how and why Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, follow this link.

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