The historic Derzhprom building in Kharkiv suffered extensive damage after being struck by a Russian bomb on Monday night. Nine people were injured in the attack, while four others tragically lost their lives in a separate strike on the city. The iconic constructivist structure, completed in 1928 and recognized by UNESCO for its significance, was targeted shortly after 9 p.m. The powerful FAB-500 bomb resulted in the loss of a corner of the building, exposing a zigzagging internal staircase.
“They’re monsters, devoid of any civilized values. The Russians are bringing hell upon us,” exclaimed Denys Bohdanov, a historian who also works as a rescue worker, surveying the devastating aftermath. Windows were blown out, and debris, including shattered glass and door frames, littered the courtyard below as rescuers worked tirelessly. Many interior rooms were left in ruins, with buckled ceilings, damaged walls, and a thick layer of dust.
Derzhprom was initially designed to showcase Soviet innovation and optimism for the future. It was constructed when Kharkiv served as the capital of communist Ukraine. The building survived World War II and later became a government office after Ukraine gained independence.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov called the concrete structure an architectural treasure, not just for Kharkiv, but for all of Ukraine. He expressed his shock and dismay, stating that even Hitler’s Nazi Germany hadn’t inflicted such damage during World War II.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Derzhprom as “severely damaged” in a night that saw several other Russian attacks, including one on his hometown of Kryvyi Rih.
Indirectly criticizing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Kazan last week, Zelenskyy posted on X (formerly Twitter): every handshake with Putin bolsters his confidence, every smile seems to suggest he can evade accountability. Instead of pandering to him, the international community must force him towards peace through decisive action.”
Curator Oleksandr Afanasiev said the regional administration and court offices were among the most severely affected. While rebuilding was possible, it would require considerable time and resources. A blast wave destroyed several modern paintings displayed on the ground floor.
Kharkiv has endured a persistent Russian assault since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. After failing to occupy the city, Russian forces have relentlessly bombarded its center and suburbs with artillery and missiles. In recent months, Russian warplanes have conducted hundreds of bombing raids on the city.
The attack on Derzhprom, a symbol of Kharkiv’s spirit and resilience which stands proudly in Freedom Square, is considered by many as another devastating blow.
Viktoriia Grivina, a writer and doctoral candidate from Kharkiv, expressed her profound grief: “I feel an unbearable sense of pure horror. Derzhprom is the building I love most in the world, a symbol of freedom and ingenuity for all Kharkiv residents.”
Bohdanov attributed Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine to centuries-old jealousy and an “imperial complex,” stating,
“The Nazis never tried to destroy Derzhprom,” he emphasized.
Maria Avdeeva, a security expert, highlighted the global significance of Derzhprom as the world’s largest surviving constructivist monument. “This is Russia’s strategy of terror and intimidation,” she said, criticizing the West for
refusing to allow Ukraine to target military sites deep inside Russia.
The damage to Derzhprom, a UNESCO-listed site, confirmed, for some, the limitations of such designations when faced with indiscriminate violence.