Sacred Sites Scarred by Russian Invasion, Community Warns True Scale of Destruction Still Unknown.
Four years after the launch of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Jewish Community of Ukraine has published a sweeping report detailing the devastation inflicted on Jewish religious, educational and memorial sites across the country.
According to the findings, approximately 40 Jewish heritage locations have been damaged or completely destroyed since February 2022. Community leaders caution that the true number may be significantly higher, as ongoing hostilities prevent full verification and inspection.
Among the most severe losses is the complete destruction of the historic synagogue building in Mariupol, a once-vibrant symbol of Jewish life in the port city. The Choral Synagogue in Bakhmut sustained heavy structural damage amid prolonged fighting in the region. In Kyiv, the Babyn Yar memorial complex—marking the site where tens of thousands of Jews were massacred by Nazi forces during World War II—was struck and damaged twice during the conflict.
Additional incidents underscore the widespread impact. In January 2026, a Holocaust memorial in Bilopillia was entirely destroyed. Two months earlier, an airstrike hit the Jewish section of a cemetery in Kharkiv, reportedly obliterating around 240 graves and leaving headstones shattered across the grounds.
Vitaliy Kamozin, chairman of the community organization, stated that current documentation likely reflects only a portion of the destruction. He emphasized that numerous sites remain inaccessible due to active combat zones, damaged infrastructure, and the threat of unexploded ordnance.
The report highlights not only physical devastation but also the cultural and historical toll of war on centuries-old Jewish presence in Ukraine. As fighting continues, restoration efforts remain largely on hold, with many sacred and historical landmarks awaiting assessment once conditions permit safe access.
