Incident at the National Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studio
In the apple orchard of the National Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studio in Kyiv, a Russian attack generated a shockwave that tore out an iron fence and wrapped it around a tree. The deformed structure has been preserved as a exhibit for guided tours. This information was provided by Tetiana Lytvynenko, a Kyiv guide and tour leader at the Museum of Cinematographic Heritage.
The attack occurred on the night of June 15, when a ballistic missile strike nearby sparked a fire. This incident destroyed Ukraine's largest and oldest costume collection, which included approximately 100,000 costumes and 3 million clothing items. Other studio buildings and facilities also sustained damage.
Exhibit in the Apple Orchard
“In the Dovzhenko garden at the Kyiv film studio, a new tourist attraction has appeared. We certainly didn’t order this, but it was gifted to us by the inhuman creatures from the swamp.”
Tetiana Lytvynenko
She further explained, 'What you see is a section of the iron fence that coiled around the tree. The blast wave ripped it out and hurled it into the tree after a ballistic missile struck nearby.' Tetiana Lytvynenko added, 'This exhibit in the Dovzhenko apple orchard will now be featured during tours. We will get through this!'
The damaged fence fragment has been left in place as a physical testament to the strikes on the capital. It will be shown to visitors as part of regular tour routes across the studio grounds, underscoring the importance of remembering the events unfolding in Ukraine.
This incident at the National Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studio vividly illustrates the destructive impact of military actions on Ukraine's cultural sites. Preserving the iron fence section as an exhibit not only commemorates the tragedy but also highlights the need to keep the war's memory alive. Incorporating such tangible evidence into tourist itineraries helps raise awareness of the modern challenges facing the country.
The incident at the National Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studio is part of a larger pattern of destruction affecting Ukraine's cultural heritage. In a related event, the missile strike also resulted in the loss of the country's largest costume collection, highlighting the devastating impact on artistic and historical assets. For more details on this tragic event, you can read about the destruction of Ukraine’s costume collection.