The Ukrainian authority is reportedly planning to direct the capital from an online museum’s NFT sales towards the restoration of artwork in the real world.

Specifically, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Information Policy reportedly revealed that the authority-backed Meta History Museum of War platform, focusing on the preservation of the timeline of major events in Russia’s war with Ukraine, secured 803.28 Ether (ETH) – approximately $1.3 million at the time – via NFT sales. 

The ministry further claimed that the acquired fund from the sales will be channeled towards “the restoration of Ukrainian cultural institutions,” several of which have received substantial damage or were destroyed by missile attacks from Russia.

“During the six months of the war in Ukraine, the Russians destroyed hundreds of our museums, theaters, and cultural institutions. Ukrainian culture and national heritage have been damaged by almost 6 billion euros, and judging by the actions and intentions of the Russian Federation, this figure will only increase.” Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy, additionally remarked. 

Per Oleksandr Borniakov, deputy minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine for Information Technology Development, the NFT sales will not be a way to stop missiles from Russia, but rather an alternative measure for Ukraine to build an innovation-friendly nation, and to bring back its economy up to normal development speed. 

With assistance from the Ukrainian authority, a non-profit reportedly rolled out the Meta History initiative in March, thirty days following the first missiles hit Ukrainian targets in the ongoing conflict. 

While the $1.3 million will be financial support for Aid For Ukraine – a platform set up by the authority to accept crypto donations “to support people in their fight for freedom” – the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy has said the funds will be utilized for restoration instead of supplies for the nation’s military.