Russian Forces Destroy Historic Palace in Velykyi Burluk

On Tuesday, April 7, Russian military forces executed an attack on a wooden historic palace located in Velykyi Burluk, a town in Kharkiv Oblast. This estate, known as the Donskykh-Zakharzhevskykh manor, is of great historical significance, as it is said to be the site where the Veles Book was discovered. Tragically, as a result of the attack, the structure was reduced to ashes, leaving only a brick foundation behind.

The extent of the destruction was detailed by Viktor Tereshchenko, the head of the Velykyi Burluk settlement military administration, in a comment to Suspilne Kharkiv. He stated, "Everything has burned down to the foundation. It was entirely wooden." According to him, the fire lasted nearly a day, consuming even the cellars beneath the foundation where items belonging to local residents, who were registered at the house, were stored.

Tereshchenko further emphasized that prior to the full-scale invasion, scientists and architects had surveyed the palace and concluded that it was 70% intact, making its reconstruction entirely feasible. "Everything was authentic. It was nearly two hundred years old, built in 1835. The details, the woodwork, and even some brickwork remained. The wooden columns were covered with lath and plastered. They too have burned down. It had a right to exist; our children and grandchildren should have seen it," he stressed.

The fire resulting from the attack by Russian strike drones on the Donskykh-Zakharzhevskykh estate was also reported by the State Emergency Service (SES) of Kharkiv Oblast. Viktor Tereshchenko added that this incident represents a significant loss for the community: "This is very painful for the people, for the community. This is the history of our region, Velykoburluchchyna. This is how the Russians operate… It is simply the destruction of everything. This is what they want to do to Ukraine. To destroy all of history. They have no history of their own and want to obliterate ours."

The Donskykh-Zakharzhevskykh manor is an architectural monument from the early 19th century. Additionally, it is known for being the place where Colonel Ali Izenbek of the Russian Volunteer Army allegedly found wooden tablets inscribed with the Veles Book, which many scholars consider to be a mystification. This event underscores the critical importance of preserving historical heritage, which unfortunately is under threat due to military actions.