- Kyiv plays an extremely important role in Russian history.
The first Russian tsars ruled in Kyiv and the first Russian Orthodox churches were built here.
Even if you manage to occupy Ukraine, you will never be able to return to old relations, Andrei Plakhonin tells Kulturnyheterna.
Plakhonin also says that the Russian military has pointed out several targets that it intends to bomb and that several of these targets are in close proximity to historic buildings such as the Sofia Cathedral.
Sofia Cathedral was built in 1037 and is one of the first Russian Orthodox churches.
- If you look at how the Russian military has handled historic buildings during its bombings, there is a great risk that even buildings that are over a thousand years old can be damaged, he says.
Plakhonin concludes that Russia does not care a bit about the cultural-historical connections between the countries and is prepared to do everything in its power to emerge victorious.
-Right now there is no talk of cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine.
What is happening now is more and more like a crusade, says Plakhonin.