Occupied Memory: Memorials to Holodomor Victims Destroyed by Russians

Holodomor denial is a significant component of Putin’s Russia’s historical policy. Deliberate distortion of facts, lies, and manipulation surrounding the history of the Holodomor are among the tools of the information war that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine. History is a convenient and crucial space for Russia to promote its imperial narratives. Therefore, the first thing Russians do in the occupied Ukrainian territories is to destroy Ukrainian books about pages of history that are ‘inconvenient’ for them and monuments to the Holodomor victims. This way, the Russian Federation continues the practice of erasing the memory of the Holodomor, which began back in Soviet times. Attempts to justify past crimes inevitably lead to new crimes. And we, Ukrainians, know this better than anyone else.

The Occupied Memory project aims to document crimes committed by the occupiers against the memory of the Holodomor. We collect data on memorials, monuments, and commemorative signs dedicated to the Holodomor victims destroyed in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. If you know of any such cases, please email us at [email protected]. We would also appreciate photographs of the monument before and after its destruction. When collecting such information in the occupied territory or photographing objects, please ensure your safety!

Monument to the Victims of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 and Political Repression in Mariupol. Destroyed on 19 October 2022. It was unveiled on 26 November 2004 on the initiative of the Mariupol Historical and Educational Society “Memorial” in a square on Universytetska Street near the Drama Theatre, which was bombed by Russian invaders in the spring of 2022, along with the people inside.

Photo source: gordonua.com

A memorial to the Holodomor victims in the village of Balashove, Ivanivka village community, Henichesk district, Kherson region. Demolished in 2023.

Dismantling of the monument in the village of Balashove.

13 memorials to the Holodomor victims in the Ivanivka community of the Henichesk district, Kherson region. Demolished in 2023.

Ivanivka community. Settlements could not be identified. Photo source: Most.

Monument to the Holodomor victims in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson Region (2024).

Photo source: novakahovka.fandom.com.

Monument to the Holodomor victims in Luhansk. Destroyed on 17 July 2024. The monument was unveiled in November 2008.

Demolition of a monument in Luhansk.

Memorial cross to the Holodomor victims in the village of Zaaidarivka, Novopskov village community, Starobilsk district, Luhansk region (destroyed in 2025, no photo available).

Memorial cross to the Holodomor victims in the village of Rohove, Novopskov village community, Starobilsk district, Luhansk region (destroyed in 2025, no photo available).

Memorial cross to the Holodomor victims in the village of Aidar, Starobilsk district, Luhansk region (2025, no photo available).