Several initiatives have been launched in recent months in an attempt to salvage war remains and preserve Ukraine’s cultural identity by fast-tracking the process of creating digital replicas of Ukraine’s cultural monuments at a risk of being destroyed during the war.

As of 20 June, UN agency Unesco had verified consequential damages to 151 sites--including 70 religious sites, 12 museums, 29 historic buildings, 18 buildings dedicated to cultural activities, 15 monuments, 7 libraries. This represents a costly cultural loss for Ukriane.

The ongoing #SaveUkrainianHeritage project led by local Ukrainian business Skeiron, received an Artec Leo scanner and software from Luxembourg-based business Artec 3D to support the efforts being made. 

Skeiron has been scanning several cultural sites before the war began mostly on a voluntary basis with 3D models in its archive for tons of museum collections and over 100 attractions in 4 countries. Using technological innovations, the team also trained police and military officials on how to use drones at the onset of the war.

Prime minister Xavier Bettel on his trip to Ukraine denounced Russia’s aggression that “has reduced Ukraine to total destruction and has become a symbol of senseless cruelty and violence,” while reinstating Luxembourg’s determination to help “build Ukraine back up.”

“The war is not only a disaster for civilian people and the economy but also for culture.  That’s why we immediately decided to support Skeiron initiative to save the heritage in Ukraine when they approached us. Being a global leader in the 3D scanning, we proposed a unique technology that accomplishes this task most efficiently and has certified partners worldwide, including Ukraine,” says  Artyom Yukhin, president and CEO of Artec 3D.

Skeiron received the Artec 3D scanners last week and were trained to how use it on Monday 20 June by Artec 3D’s Ukrainian reseller, Koda. The scanner will be used to scan museums and church sculptures and artifacts and other potential sites and objects are being considered. A list with over 190 priority objects has been identified and are being tracked by Skeiron’s team.

“Being wireless and portable, the scanner can immediately capture the object in 3D and experts can analyse the data in lifelike colour 3D afterwards. The captured data can be securely uploaded to a cloud storage, where it can be safely accessed and processed by investigators anywhere around the world,” an Artec representative explains.

Artec 3D is headquartered in Luxembourg, with offices in the United States, China and Montenegro with over 150 resellers and partners around the world.