Story perspectives

War Crimes Unfold: 1.6 Million Ukrainians Displaced

3/2/2026

Center

Ukraine's Ongoing Struggle

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 flooded 240 square miles and displaced over one-third of the population.
As of early 2024, Russian casualties exceeded 320,000 and Ukrainian casualties reached 400,000.
The war has forced relocation of 1.6 million Ukrainians, including 260,000 children.
The International Criminal Court labeled these relocations as war crimes.
Western military aid has bolstered Ukraine's defense, exemplified by the sinking of the Moskva.

Left

Petrasiuk Preserves Mosaics

The Soviet-era mosaics in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine face destruction amid the ongoing conflict.
They survived decades but are now casualties of Russian artillery, erasing the region's industrial history.
Photographer Oleg Petrasiuk documents the loss and records the mosaics before they vanish.
Preservation has shifted to digital documentation to capture the mosaics before they are lost, highlighting a broader crisis in Ukraine's eastern cities tied to Soviet-era art.

History

Historical Context

The Kakhovka Dam was destroyed on June 6, 2023, likely by Russian forces, echoing past wartime atrocities like the 1945 bombing of Dresden. This incident, which caused extensive flooding and significant loss of life, has drawn parallels to the Nuremberg Trials, as the International Criminal Court investigates potential war crimes. The ongoing crisis threatens cultural heritage and historical narratives in Ukraine.

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Ukraine's Ongoing Struggle

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 flooded 240 square miles and displaced over one-third of the population.
As of early 2024, Russian casualties exceeded 320,000 and Ukrainian casualties reached 400,000.
The war has forced relocation of 1.6 million Ukrainians, including 260,000 children.
The International Criminal Court labeled these relocations as war crimes.
Western military aid has bolstered Ukraine's defense, exemplified by the sinking of the Moskva.

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