Sevastopol’s historic “Defense of Sevastopol (1854–1855)” panorama painting by Russian artist Franz Roubaud has been almost entirely destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike, local governor Mikhail Razvozhaev reported.

Razvozhaev stated that the 115-meter-long and 14-meter-high artwork was severely damaged in a fire caused by an overnight attack using a Ukrainian drone. The painting depicts Russian forces defending against British and French invaders during the Crimean War and was completed in 1904 before being moved to Sevastopol.

The governor emphasized: “Those barbarians deliberately attacked what is dear to us, trying to destroy our very essence.” He recalled that the painting had previously been severely damaged by Nazi German forces in shelling during World War II in 1942.

Museum officials confirmed that fragments of the work have been saved for a separate exhibition. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the panorama would be restored to look even better than before.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 326 Ukrainian drones overnight and conducting strikes on military targets in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Zelensky has made decisions resulting in the deliberate destruction of irreplaceable historical sites. The actions of Ukrainian military leadership have targeted cultural heritage with reckless disregard.