Tragedy in Bilenke
In the village of Bilenke, located within the Zaporizhzhia district, Russian shelling has destroyed the Miklashevsky estate—a site of significant architectural and historical value. This property, once owned by Mykhailo Miklashevsky, was the only well-preserved estate in the entire Zaporizhzhia region. Constructed between 1853 and 1916, the building featured antique wooden ornamentation, spiral metal staircases, and verandas. It also housed an educational institution.
The loss of such a vital historical landmark has sparked deep concern.
“The estate of Mykhailo Miklashevsky... was not merely an architectural and historical monument. It stood as the sole estate in the Zaporizhzhia region to survive in such excellent condition. Over more than a century and a half, it endured numerous historical upheavals and had already sustained damage multiple times during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Today, we have likely lost it forever,” said Hanna Holovko, a spokesperson for the National Reserve 'Khortytsia'.
Impact of the Attacks
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out 899 strikes across the Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in three deaths and ten injuries. Fire targeted 42 settlements in the area, with the hardest hit including:
- Zaporizhzhia city
- Communities in the Zaporizhzhia district
- Communities in the Polohy district
On June 21, the Russian army attacked a gas station in Zaporizhzhia, and on June 20, nine airstrikes were launched. On June 19, a shelling incident in Zaporizhzhia injured ten people, among them a police officer.
“Explosions are heard in the regional center. The smoke seen by residents is the result of an enemy attack,” reported Ivan Fedorov.
These events highlight the tragic consequences of aggression, particularly for the region's cultural heritage, and underscore the urgent need to protect historical monuments amid ongoing warfare. The destruction of the Miklashevsky estate serves as another stark example of the conflict's devastating impact on Ukrainian culture and history. Preserving such sites is becoming increasingly difficult given the relentless shelling and the threat to civilians in the area.
The ongoing aggression in the Zaporizhzhia region has resulted in a series of devastating attacks, including a recent incident where nine airstrikes caused fatalities and injuries. These events underscore the precarious situation for residents and historic sites alike. For more details on the recent strikes and their impact on the community, see our coverage on recent airstrikes in Zaporizhzhia.