Sophia Kishkovsky

What has happened to visitor numbers at Russian museums since the start of the war?

As Russia leaves the world cultural stage following its invasion of Ukraine, we look at how its art institutions have reacted

Marina Loshak steps down as director of Moscow’s Pushkin Museum in latest high-level Russian departure

The well-respected director has been replaced by Elizaveta Likhacheva, the current head of the Shchusev State Museum of Architecture

Putin visits heritage site in Crimea on ninth anniversary of annexation

Tauric Chersonese, a Unesco World Heritage Site, will boast multiple museums—and a humanitarian centre

US authorities seek forfeiture of $75m in luxury real estate linked to sanctioned Russian collector and the former director of his museum

Vladimir Voronchenko, the founding director of the Faberge Museum, has been indicted and named in a civil forfeiture complaint against billionaire Viktor Vekselberg as part of US efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion

US imposes sanctions on Russian culture minister

Olga Lyubimova, who has served as Russia’s top cultural official since 2020, was sanctioned by the European Union late last year

High-tech security systems installed on Banksy’s Ukraine murals

Ajax Systems has deployed $13,000 worth of security and monitoring apparatuses at four Banksy murals in and around Kyiv

Ukraine benefit exhibition blossoms in Los Angeles

A pop-up exhibition in aid of Ukrainian relief efforts has opened in Los Angeles following a stint in New York

Moscow museum director removed after complaint against institution’s lack of ‘traditional Russian spiritual and moral values’

Zelfira Tregulova, who has headed the State Tretyakov Gallery since 2015, will be replaced by Elena Pronicheva, who has links to Vladimir Putin

Unesco adds Ukrainian city of Odesa to World Heritage List of endangered sites

The decision "recognises the outstanding universal value of the site and the duty of all humanity to protect it", the UN cultural organisation states

Art trade benefits as wealthy Russians flock to sanction-free Dubai

The emirate, currently a haven for 'half of Moscow', is enjoying a post-pandemic economic boom

Russian artist flees LGBTQ crackdown

Yulia Tsvetkova was acquitted on charges of distributing gay ‘pornography’ but strict new laws have forced her to leave the country

Banksynews

Ringleader of group who attempted to steal Banksy mural in Ukraine could face 12 years in prison

The suspect has not been identified by police, but is likely to be an environmental activist who told press that he intended to auction the work in support of the Ukrainian army

Russianews

Russian culture minister and a billionaire arts patron are included in latest lists of sanctions from the West

Olga Lyubimova has been sanctioned by the European Union and Vladimir Potanin is on the US list

Effects of war on young Ukrainian artists exposed in PinchukArtCentre Prize exhibition

Contemporary art prize, held in Kyiv, shows images of conflict and ideas for post-war reconstruction by 18 shortlisted artists aged 35 and under

Ukrainian Modernist masterpieces transported from Kyiv under missile fire find refuge in Madrid exhibition

Survey show at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza will open with an address by President Zelensky and a symposium calling for a European cultural deal with Ukraine

Sophia Kishkovsky. With additional reporting by Kabir Jhala

Ukrainian forces win back Kherson region—but Russia has reportedly looted its art collection

The Ukraine territory is one of four illegally annexed on 30 September with decrees by Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukrainian artists’ monumental projection takes over Chicago riverfront

A projection by Kyiv-based studio PHOTINUS and based on composer Mykola Leontovych's work is taking over a building in Chicago, which is home to a large Ukrainian diaspora community

Moscow's GES-2 House of Culture: the rise and fall of Russian billionaire's huge new art hub

Russia’s foray into international culture stalls as art complex that opened last year sees artists exit and change of direction

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applies for Unesco World Heritage status for Odesa

The strategic Black Sea port city, home to a famous opera house and controversial Catherine the Great statue, has been the target of Russian bombing

Kyiv cultural sites reportedly damaged in Russian bombardment

Ukrainian culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko says buildings have been damaged including the Khanenko Art Museum and the Kyiv Art Gallery

State Hermitage Museum curator quits over Russia's war in Ukraine

Dimitri Ozerkov, the head of the contemporary art department, made the announcement on Instagram after months of silence

Russia to take over Ukrainian museum collections as formal annexation plans announced

Putin's decree to permanently occupy four regions of Ukraine means thousands of artefacts will become property of Russia

Poland demands Russia return seven paintings it claims were looted during Second World War

Putin’s international cultural envoy, Mikhail Shvydkoy, says Poland’s request has no legal grounds

First Cosmoscow fair since Russian invasion of Ukraine to open with no foreign galleries and internal complaints of censorship

“Understandably” no Ukrainian dealers applied to take part in the tenth anniversary edition of the Moscow fair

Russianews

William MacDougall, founder of UK's largest Russian-focused auction house, has died

Founded in 2004, MacDougall's was the first international auction house to have representatives in Moscow and Kyiv

Ukrainian artists fight back with radical poster art

Sunseed Art platform offers downloadable images reflecting 'resistance and resilience'

Ukraine gets emergency Red List for art as evidence mounts of 'trading networks flowing West'

The International Council of Museums has worked with Interpol to create the list, with border patrols on "high alert" to seize art stolen from Ukrainian museums—but is it too late?

Russian guard who doodled eyes on $1m painting sentenced as scrutiny of museum intensifies

Aleksandr Vasiliev had used a ballpoint pen to draw eyes on the stylised figures in a painting by avant-garde artist Anna Leporskaya