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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Tristan Cork & Alice Peacock

New Banksy rumours in Ukraine after painting spotted on demolished building

A work of art on a demolished building in a shelled Ukrainian city has prompted speculation that British graffiti artist Banksy is in the country.

The similar style to the famous artist in Borodyanka, northwest of Kyiv, showing a child throwing a man to the floor in a judo outfit, Bristol Live reports.

There was no confirmation on Banksy's official Instagram at the the time of writing that the artist was behind the work, and queries to his representative in this country are still awaiting a response.

However, images of the work are being shared on social media back in the UK by associates of Banksy in the street art world.

The picture was photographed by photojournalist Ed Ram, who is in Ukraine working for photo agency Getty.

Cars drive past damaged buildings in Borodyanka (Getty Images)

Mr Ram said Borodyanka had been hit particularly hard by Russian airstrikes in the first few weeks of the conflict.

The photojournalist wrote on Instagram: "I wonder if it might be a Banksy or an imitation?

"Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was a black belt in judo, was removed from his position as honorary president of the International Judo Federation in May."

Without confirmation from Banksy on his Instagram, or through his representatives in this country, it is still unknown whether the works popping up in Bodorynka are by the elusive Bristolian.

It could well be that a local artist, or street artist from Europe, has sprayed the works in Banksy's style.

There was no confirmation on Banksy's official Instagram at the the time of writing that the artist was behind the work (Getty Images)

The image was shared by Martyn Reed, an artist, curator and event manager, who said: "It’s beginning to look like Banksy is in Ukraine.

"There was some debate when the first stencil appeared, slide 2, but surely this dispels any doubt. Expect to see more popping up in the coming days."

The second picture actually appeared first - it shows a boy and a girl on a wall sprayed in such a way as to make it look like the corner of a metal frame on the ground in front of them is a see saw.

It would not be the first time Banksy has ventured into some of the world's conflict zones.

The artist has travelled to Palestine many times, first to paint on or near the huge wall erected by the Israelis, and then to open a guesthouse called The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, which opened in 2017 temporarily, but is still open to visitors today.

Borodyanka was hit particularly hard by Russian airstrikes in the first few weeks of the conflict (Getty Images)

Back in the UK, Banksy has returned to painting in Bristol after moving back to the West Country in recent years.

He painted another in the Girl with a Red Balloon series in Barton Hill, and then painted 'Aachoo' on the wall at the bottom of England's steepest residential street, Vale Street in Totterdown.

In the past year or so, he was heavily involved in supporting the Colston 4, and the most recent work confirmed on his Instagram - as of November 11 - was the t-shirt design that raised money for the four charged and then cleared with criminal damage.

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