Ukrainian Government approves Procedure for the Evacuation of Museum items during Martial Law

The document was prepared by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine based on an analysis of evacuation practices in recent years. The weaknesses of previous procedures and proposals from civil society were taken into account during its drafting.

"The new procedure, developed by the Ministry of Culture after consultations with the public, establishes clear rules on how and when to evacuate museum items from dangerous areas, how to store them, and how to return them after the end of martial law. This will help to better protect cultural values and reduce the risk of their loss during the war," emphasized Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine – Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna.

The resolution introduces mandatory evacuation for the first time for areas located within 50 km of the line of combat, as well as for places included in the List of territories where hostilities are (were) taking place or are temporarily occupied by the russian federation. In addition, the decision on mandatory evacuation may be made by the regional military administration in agreement with the military command.

Another innovation is the requirement to place evacuated valuables in territories located at least 75 km from the line of combat.

The decision-making procedure has been significantly simplified. 

From now on, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine will only make decisions regarding state institutions. For municipal institutions, such decisions will be made by regional military administrations. The head of an institution will also have the option to independently make a decision on evacuation in the event of an extreme threat to the preservation of cultural property, with subsequent notification of the relevant authorities.

The document introduces a system of evacuation queues for cultural property — I, II, and III. It establishes the priority of relocation depending on their value and degree of risk.

“We thank and appreciate the work of all our colleagues from the museum community, local authorities, public organizations, and Ukraine's international partners who are working on the evacuation, helping institutions to carry it out, providing materials and equipment, and setting up spaces,” said Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytskyi.

The resolution also provides for the mandatory adoption of a decision on the return of evacuated valuables within 12 months after the end of martial law. If return is impossible, for example due to the destruction of the museum, the authority that made the decision on evacuation shall determine the further place of storage. In addition, the institution from which the cultural property was evacuated has the right to monitor its condition and storage conditions.

The resolution creates a more predictable, systematic, and secure model for protecting museum objects during wartime, combining clear rules, accountability of authorities, and flexibility in crisis situations.