A recent report by researchers at the University of Virginia details the potential damage of ancient Ukrainian burial mounts known as kurgans in two areas currently occupied by Russian troops. The authors of the report – researchers and archaeologists working out of the university’s Cultural Resilience Informatics and Analysis (CURIA) Lab – believe the satellite imagery to reveal Russian trench lines and fortifications on or near the mounds, as well as possible theft or vandalism in the surrounding area. Both locations are in Vasylivka Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The CURIA Lab is a research partner of the Conflict Observatory. The report can be read on the Conflict Observatory’s website, while more information about the project can be found on UVA’s website.
A satellite image from the report shows damage to ancient mounds in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Courtesy of the CURIA Lab.
Latest News & Alerts
June 24, 2025
The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield would like to thank all those who attended and expressed great interest in our recent webinar, "Introduction to Cultural Property Protection." On Wednesday, June 18th, Dr. Laurie Rush presented [...]
June 3, 2025
A free webinar entitled, "Introduction to Cultural Property Protection," will take place on Wednesday, June 18th at 1:30 pm EDT. Dr. Laurie Rush, USCBS Secretary and Board Member, will present the webinar, and Rachel Dewan, USCBS [...]
March 31, 2025
On March 13th and 14th, DePaul University hosted a conference titled, "Navigating Justice in Cultural Heritage: Intersections of Ethics, Law, and Museum Practice." The conference was organized by the DePaul University College of Law’s Center for [...]
