Kalashnikova V. Historical and cultural treasures of Eastern Ukraine during the Great Patriotic War

The thesis is devoted to research of the policy of Soviet and Nazi occupation authorities in the field of historical and cultural treasures of Eastern Ukraine during the Great Patriotic War. The author established what were the archival, library and museum funds in the region before the war and what features they had. The evacuation of historical and cultural treasures to the eastern regions of USSR during the first year of the war was highlighted, the conclusion was made that the lack of plan of this process was the reason for its actual failure. Based on analysis of National Socialism ideology the place of historical and cultural treasures in the policy of the occupiers was defined. The objectives and mechanisms of capture, export from the country and destruction of cultural heritage in Eastern Ukraine by the occupiers were considered. The author established the volume of losses incurred during the war archive, library and museum funds. The heroic deeds of ordinary people in saving and preserving historical and cultural treasures during the Great Patriotic War were elucidated in the thesis.