The International Council of Museums ICOM published a statement on 24^th February, 2022 concerning the Russian invasion into Ukraine. ICOM strongly condemns this violation and is worried of both the risks faced by museum professionals as well as the threats to cultural heritage because of this armed conflict. The Nordic Museums Associations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden strongly condemn the unprovoked Russian invasion of the democratic and free Ukraine.  We all urge Russia to respect the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. We here at the Finnish Aviation Museum mourn the losses of human lives and grief for damage done to everyday environments and our common cultural heritage.

1954 Hague convention

Any damage to cultural property, irrespective of the people it belongs to, is a damage to the cultural heritage of all humanity. To protect the cultural heritage there are international treaties, in front The 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Russia has ratified this convention.

Cultural heritage of aviation in danger

A cruel war of aggression seeks to bring about terror, damage, and destruction. Destroying strategic targets and infrastructure seeks to destroy the defender’s morale and ability to act. These structures are also part of the cultural heritage that the attacker destroys without pity. At the same time, destroying ports, airports and buildings is destroying history that should belong to future generations as well. Warfare against these sites will inevitably destroy objects that tell the story about the development of humanity and its history.

Russia has destroyed significant amounts of these targets in its invasion of Ukraine. Antonov, an aircraft manufacturer, has operated at Hostomel Airport, north of Kiev. The world’s largest aircraft, the AN-225 Mriya, Dream, has been destroyed in this senseless war of aggression. Many other destroyed equipment can also be seen in the abundant footage.

The issue also affects Finnish cultural heritage in that two DC-9s that once flew in Finnair’s fleet were parked on the edge of the Kharkiv airport in eastern Ukraine, the fate of which is probably already sealed. Material destruction is, of course, always secondary to human suffering, but its significance as a cultural heritage of its time is undeniable.

More information

ICOM, Statement concerning the Russian invasion into Ukraine

Nordic Museum Associations, Nordic Museums Associations urge Russia to respect the 1954 Hague Convention

UNESCO, 1954 Convention of the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict