The enemy burned down the Kherson Maritime Academy building

Russian occupation forces set fire to one of the buildings of the Kherson State Maritime Academy. Following the shelling, a massive fire engulfed the building.

This was reported by Oleksandr Shumey, the academy’s vice rector for academic and educational affairs.

He posted a video on his Facebook page showing the aftermath of the Russian attack.

<picture></picture>Photo: screenshot from the video

The footage shows the building completely engulfed in flames: flames are bursting from the windows on the top floor, the roof is on fire, and thick smoke is rising above the building.

Numerous traces of previous Russian shelling are also visible on the facade—the walls are riddled with shrapnel, and parts of the structure are damaged.

“Today, the enemy is burning maritime schools in Kherson. It was the same during World War II. But maritime education is Kherson’s identity—not the buildings,” wrote Oleksandr Shumei.

This building of the Kherson State Maritime Academy had previously been hit by Russian shelling on multiple occasions.

Due to constant attacks, the building had been in a state of disrepair for a long time, and the latest strike caused a massive fire that effectively destroyed the upper part of the building.

What is known about the Kherson Maritime Academy

The Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA) is one of the oldest maritime educational institutions in Ukraine. Its history dates back to 1834, when a school for merchant shipping was opened in Kherson. The academy has operated in its current form since 2011.

The Kherson State Maritime Academy trains specialists for the maritime industry, including ship captains, marine engineers, electrical engineers, and other merchant marine professionals. Over nearly two centuries, the institution has trained tens of thousands of seafarers who work for shipping companies around the world.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, the academy was forced to relocate to Odesa and continued its educational activities there. During the Russian occupation of Kherson, the academy’s property and some of its buildings were repeatedly damaged by combat operations and shelling.

Ірина Глухова