Threatened by war, Ukrainian paintings find safe haven in Switzerland

Visitors look at paintings from the collection of the National Art Gallery of Kyiv during the "From Dusk To Dawn" exhibition at the Rath Museum in Geneva, Switzerland February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

When Russia sent troops into Ukraine a year ago, the director of the Kyiv National Art Gallery had only one thing on his mind: the safety of the paintings.

As air sirens blared, Yuri Vakulenko packed a bag and headed to the gallery, where he would spend the next 66 days living in the basement, a bulletproof vest and gas mask at the ready, and caring for the exhibits.