Ukraine's largest museum races to save masterpieces from war

In Lviv, western Ukraine, staff and volunteers at the Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum are swiftly packing artworks to shield them from the ongoing Russian invasion. Established in 1905, this museum has withstood two world wars and boasts a collection exceeding 170,000 items, including 12th–18th century Ukrainian ecclesiastical art with over 4,000 sacred icons from the 14th–18th centuries. Notable Ukrainian artists represented include Taras Shevchenko and Mykola Murashko. Since the Russian offensive began on February 24, 2022, the museum has been closed. Director General Ihor Kozhan expressed sorrow over the empty walls, saying, "Sometimes tears come because a lot of work has been done here." Dr. Anna Naurobska, responsible for rare books, voiced concerns about preserving their collection of over 12,000 volumes. The museum is situated in Lviv's UNESCO World Heritage city center, recognized in 1998.