Ukrainian and independent experts believe the targeted attacks at cultural sites and destruction of Ukrainian books is deliberate erasure of Ukrainian culture. They see it as part of a deliberate effort by Russia to undermine the Ukrainian nation and its people.
Russia continued intense attacks on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine early on New Year s Day, following a barrage of missiles fired on Saturday, with air raid sirens wailing for hours overnight.
The governor of a Russian region bordering Ukraine on Monday accused Kyiv of bombing one of its villages, injuring two civilians and damaging several houses.
Mikhailo, who has lost everything to the war, except perhaps his sense of humour, draws on a cigarette before only half-joking, "You cannot die twice." He has survived the Russian onslaught under the ruins of Rubizhne, on the frontline of the battle.