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Weaponization of cultural heritage: assessing evidence from Kherson during the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Europe (Central and Eastern)
European Union
Foreign Policy
International Relations
War
Communication
Narratives
Lien Verpoest
KU Leuven
Lien Verpoest
KU Leuven
The battle of narratives and weaponization of cultural and historic heritage: EU cultural and heritage diplomacy in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine and hybrid interference

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Abstract

This paper examines the role of heritage diplomacy and the weaponization of cultural heritage in wartime, exploring how history and culture can quickly be transformed into a tool for a war of aggression. It focuses on the case of the looting of the Kherson Regional Art Museum and the Kherson Museum of Local Lore during Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The paper highlights the motives and discourses behind targeting cultural heritage as a part of Ukraine’s identity and collective memory. The paper incorporates findings from the Jean Monnet Network “Challenges and Opportunities of EU-Ukraine Heritage Diplomacy” project (HER-UKR, 2003-2026), a multidisciplinary network on EU heritage diplomacy. By engaging with HER-UKR’s research, the paper situates the Kherson case within broader European security dynamics, offering insights into strengthening heritage diplomacy and cooperation frameworks for Eastern European cultural heritage under threat.