Russia destroy 1,700 cultural institutions - Tochytskyi

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, russia has destroyed 1,700 cultural institutions in Ukraine.

This was stated by the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi at the forum "Diplomacy Today: Ukraine's Role in Global Politics", Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"1,700 cultural institutions have been destroyed... the number is already in the thousands. The russians are targeting our identity. Not only people and buildings," the minister said.

He added that Ukraine must protect cultural heritage, which is a large part of national security, which, in fact, the Ministry of Culture, the President and the Cabinet of Ministers are working on.

"Without this, there will be no warrior (who will defend Ukrainian land). We are fighting for a free democratic Europe," the minister is confident.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the recently appointed Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi stated that artists should be given the opportunity to travel abroad without hindrance to promote Ukraine abroad. According to him, out of five cultural figures, who receive permission to travel abroad, one does not return to Ukraine.