Ukraine Creates Digital Archive of Artifacts from the Russia-Ukraine War

The National Military History Museum of Ukraine has created a digital archive containing over 500 artifacts from the Russia-Ukraine war, covering the period from the Revolution of Dignity to the liberation of Kherson.

Over five weeks, specialists set up three photo studios in the museum halls and took approximately 6 thousand photographs. For complex objects, including military helmets, weapons, and damaged equipment, the focus stacking technology was used, which allowed for clear images of objects in the smallest details.

Particular attention was paid to the personal stories of Ukrainian soldiers and prisoners. Among the digitized items are a hat that the captured fighters of "Azov" sewed from a Soviet cotton blanket in the cold cells, as well as a t-shirt with the phone numbers of comrades, which the fighters who were exchanged first managed to take out of captivity. The digital archive also includes combat flags, heavy equipment, damaged armor, and drones.

According to the project leader, Vlad Pioro, digitization according to international standards is intended to ensure the preservation of information about museum items for future generations, regardless of external threats. In addition to the digital archive, within the framework of the initiative, a bilingual multimedia audio guide has been created, covering the 35 thematic exhibits and the entire exhibition on the third floor of the museum. Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Alexander Alfjorov, noted that the audio guide could become a teaching aid for schoolchildren, students, teachers, and parents.