Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has dealt a massive blow to the country’s scientific infrastructure. As the Kyiv Post writes in an opinion piece, the historic Palladin Institute in Kyiv was among the targets. The institution is one of Ukraine’s oldest research institutes and a symbol of the country’s scientific tradition.
The damage is enormous: more than 10,000 scientists have been displaced or killed by the war. Some 1,400 research buildings have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks. Ukraine’s scientific community is thus losing not only infrastructure but also valuable personnel – a loss that will burden the country long after the war ends.
Despite the destruction, Ukrainian science has shown resilience. Researchers continue to work under extremely difficult conditions, often in makeshift labs or from abroad. The international community is called upon to support Ukrainian science not only financially but also through cooperation and protection programs.
The attack on the Palladin Institute is not an isolated case. Russia deliberately targets civilian infrastructure, including educational and research facilities. This is part of a strategy to weaken Ukraine not only militarily but also intellectually. Ukrainian science urgently needs help to survive the war and to be able to rebuild afterward.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
