Banksy unveils painting in Ukrainian community that withstood Russian occupation for weeks

The mystery graffiti artist appears to be in Ukraine, where he is credited with three fresh murals.

After unveiling his latest artwork on Instagram, Banksy appears to have verified that he is in Ukraine.

The unidentified graffiti artist posted the painting, which depicts a female gymnast teetering on a destroyed building, late Friday night.

The location was labeled as Borodyanka, in Ukraine’s Kyiv area.

Banksy has appeared to confirm that he is in Ukraine after unveiling his latest artwork on Instagram

Two other murals were reportedly seen nearby – one depicting a man resembling Russian President Vladimir Putin being flipped during a judo match with a little boy, and another showing two children using a metal tank trap as a seesaw.

Photo taken on Nov. 6, 2022, in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, shows graffiti resembling British street artist Banksy's work. Pic: AP
Image: The photo of this mural was taken earlier this month when its creator was still unverified. Pic: AP

Borodyanka, northwest of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, was one of the towns hardest hit by Russia’s bombardment after the invasion began late in February.

It was liberated in April, but for weeks afterward, it was isolated – the power had been knocked out, shops were closed, transport links were not operating and humanitarian agencies and other volunteer groups were the only sources of food, clothes, and other necessities.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said later that the situation in occupied Borodyanka had been “much more horrific” than in Bucha, where hundreds of civilians were found dead in mass graves.