A War’s Unlikely Architectural Icon: Donetsk International Airport

Stark photos of an embattled region’s airport (built less than three years ago) highlight the harsh realities of war.

Conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-aided separatist forces has ebbed and flowed for almost a year now. Images of soldiers dug into fields and checkpoints and tanks rumbling along country roads have been the visual currency of global media coverage of the war. However, an unlikely subject has become the new face of the region’s devastation: Donetsk Airport. From Timeto Mashable, the before-and-after images of this modest transportation hub have been making viral rounds on the internet. But why now? And why an airport, an architectural type that rarely garners any attention?

Aerial photograph, taken by a drone, from a group that supports the Ukrainian military.Image via NBC.

The airport’s main terminal before and after the war. Top image via Michael1238/Wikipedia, bottom image via mageganker/imgur.

First and foremost, before-and-after comparisons have proven to be incredibly popular, as evidenced by the viral reporting on the earlier carnage in Independence (Maidan) Square in Kiev. However, while Independence Square is Ukraine-specific, Donetsk’s airport is as generic as they come. Surprisingly, the airport’s ‘anytown’ appearance may be the key to its newfound infamy. Rebuilt and expanded in preparation for the EURO 2012 games, the airport features the glass-clad walkways, soaring terminal halls, and carpeted waiting areas that travelers find in every airport from London to Liaoning. Unlike the squat forms of T-84 tanks or all-too-familiar AK-47s, this is design that’s commonplace and relatable. This familiarity makes its destruction all the more tangible and fascinating. Last but not least, as Architizer previously reported, drones have helped the global public readily survey the scene.