“Whitewashing crimes”: Ukraine slams UNESCO for hosting Russian-funded Mendeleev Prize during war

A dispute has erupted over UNESCO’s announcement of nominations for the fourth edition of the UNESCO–Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences, a distinction funded by the Russian government.

The prize has become controversial in Ukraine because it is financed by Moscow at a time when Russia continues its full-scale invasion. Ukrainian officials and cultural institutions argue that awarding a Russian state-funded science prize under UNESCO’s auspices risks legitimizing the Kremlin while Russian forces are destroying educational and research infrastructure in Ukraine.

$250,000 prize awarded twice so far - each time to a Russian scientist

UNESCO said the prize recognizes “exceptional contributions in chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology” and that two laureates are selected each year for achievements in the development and dissemination of basic sciences and international cooperation.

The award, established in 2019, carries a $250,000 prize for each of two winners, along with a gold medal and diploma. It has been awarded twice so far, in 2021 and 2023. Each time, one of the laureates was a Russian scientist.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls for boycott and cancellation

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the initiative. The ministry said it considers attempts by Russia to promote itself through science, education, culture, and sport unacceptable while the war continues.

“Moscow systematically and grossly violates the goals and principles of the UN Charter, the UNESCO Constitution, and all the fundamental principles that underpin UNESCO’s mandate - to promote peace through the development of education, science and culture,” the ministry said.

The ministry stated that Russia has damaged or destroyed 4,456 educational institutions and 1,443 research institutes during the full-scale invasion.

It urged UNESCO member states and the international scientific community to boycott the prize, called for its cancellation, and said the jury should step down.

National museum says prize legitimizes Russia's war

The National Museum of the History of Ukraine also called on UNESCO to cancel the prize. In a statement, the museum argued that under the slogan of “science beyond politics,” Russia is attempting to use scientific initiatives to promote its narratives during the war and “whitewash its crimes against humanity and numerous war crimes.”

The museum cited the deaths of Ukrainian scholars and the destruction of research institutions, stating that while Russian missiles strike Ukrainian cities, “one of the world’s most influential organizations awards scientists with money from the bloody Russian government.”