The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeaW) was deeply dismayed to learn of the severe damage to the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine caused by a Russian drone attack. At the time, the full extent of the damage, as well as any injuries or fatalities, was not yet known. 

In a personal letter to Academy President Anatolii Zagorodny and the staff of the Ukrainian Academy, OeAW President Heinz Faßmann expressed his deep sympathy and solidarity. The OeAW condemns the attack on its long-standing partner academy and emphasises the importance of protecting scientific institutions.

Science needs security and exchange

“Science and research thrive on exchange, openness and security,” Faßmann writes. Scientific institutions must be able to operate in a safe environment and must never become targets of military attacks. Attacks on scientific institutions are also attacks on our cultural heritage and the international research community as a whole.
Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the OeAW has supported Ukrainian researchers through a range of measures. These include the JESH mobility programme, which provides researchers from Ukraine with opportunities for research stays and helps maintain their links with the international scientific community.
The OeAW recognises the determination of its Ukrainian colleagues to continue their scientific work despite the extremely difficult circumstances and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its researchers.