Sacred Buildings of Kramatorshchyna in the Conditions of Russian Aggression of 2022–2024: Losses and Ways of Recovery

Abstract

The state of the sacred buildings in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region, on the eve and during the full-scale Russian military aggression of 2022–2024 is investigated in the article. The main aspects of the history of temples’ building in Kramatorshchyna during the late 20th – early 21st centuries are described. In particular, it is emphasized that during the specified period, the active revival of the Holy Mountains Lavra of the Holy Dormition has taken place; its churches of St. Nicholas, St. Dormition, and St. Pokrovsky, etc. have been restored. At the same time, the famous Lavra sketes are renewed: in the villages of Adamivka, Bohorodychne, Dolyna, Tetianivka and the city of Sviatohirsk. The active process of building churches has continued in the other villages and towns of the district. It is noted that, on the eve of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022 into Ukraine, the sacred architecture of Kramatorshchyna has been related primarily to the Holy Mountains Lavra. It has been the core of its cultural and touristic potential. The data on damaged and destroyed churches for the period of 2022–2024 is collected and systematized in the article. It is found out, in particular, that 43 religious objects have been damaged during this time. Most of them belong to the Orthodox-Christian jurisdiction, although we also have destruction of Protestant and Islamic religious architecture, etc. It is ascertained that the main part of the shrines damaged in the spring of 2022, mainly in May, is situated on the territory of Sviatohirsk and Lyman communities. It is emphasized that this phenomenon is connected with active hostilities for the localities of Lyman, Sviatohirsk and the Siverskyi Donets river. It should be mentioned, that not only sacred buildings of Sviatohirshchyna and Lymanshchyna are affected, but also of Kostiantynivska, Kramatorska, Slovianska, Mykolaivska, Oleksandrivska and Druzhkivska communities. In general, it is stated that the full-scale war has caused irreparable losses to the religious buildings of the Kramatorsk district. It is noted also in the article, that the restoration of destroyed churches depends entirely on the further nature and development of hostilities. On the other hand, measures aimed at eliminating their consequences have already been carried out in the vast majority of temples those received light and are medium damaged. Finally, the issue of taking into account objects of sacred architecture that have historical and cultural value is raised. It is emphasized that the local authorities of Donetsk region and other oblasts of Ukraine now face the urgent task of identifying and registering objects of cultural heritage. The identified problem has prospects for further research on materials from other raions of Donechchyna and the regions of Ukraine.