For the first time in history, Ukrainian cultural heritage is being presented in one of the world’s leading museums. Hetman Ivan Mazepa’s sabre from the late 17th century will be on display at The Royal Armouries from 18 July to 3 August 2025. British actor, writer and friend of Ukraine Sir Stephen Fry attended the opening of the exhibition.
The project was organised by the non-governmental organisation UKRAINE WOW together with The Royal Armouries museum and the Vasyl Tarnovskyy Chernihiv Regional History Museum, in partnership with Ajax Systems.
“We are proud to present a unique historical artefact in one of the oldest museums in the world. Such an event is an opportunity to talk again and again about Ukrainian culture and heritage, about outstanding figures of the past. For centuries, Russia has tried to defame the name of Hetman Mazepa. Today, he will receive the recognition he deserves: as a hero who fought for the sovereignty and freedom of his country. We thank the United Kingdom, the Tower of London, and The Royal Armouries Museum for supporting this initiative,” said UKRAINE WOW co-founders Yaroslava Hres and Yuliya Solovey.
“Hetman Mazepa’s sabre is a unique example of Ukrainian weaponry from the late 17th century, created under the influence of Eastern cultures. Today, it is part of the heritage that we are preserving during the war,” says Maksym Blakytnyy, director of the V. V. Tarnovskyy Chernihiv Regional History Museum. “Our museum was damaged by Russian shelling in 2022, and the threat to cultural heritage remains. Thanks to the support of foreign partners, in particular, we are able not only to preserve, but also to show the world what Ukraine is protecting.”
The project was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, and the Aurora supermarket chain.
“The display of Hetman Ivan Mazepa’s sabre in the Tower of London is a powerful gesture that restores Ukraine’s voice and important place in European history. This sabre symbolises the decisive role of the Ukrainian army in European history, which is very relevant today. It emphasises the Ukrainian factor in the history of the glorious victories of Europe’s past. It is about the strength of Ukrainian warriors, the power of Ukrainian weapons and the victories achieved over the centuries. It is also important to restore the glory of Hetman Ivan Mazepa, an outstanding statesman, diplomat and patron who embodies Ukraine’s struggle for dignity, freedom and independence. At a time of genocidal Russian aggression, the presentation of a Ukrainian relic in the heart of Great Britain is an act of remembrance and, at the same time, an act of the future. We want to ensure that the world knows, sees and understands Ukraine as it is: a country with a magnificent history and rich culture,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
“Ivan Mazepa, who is little remembered in Europe today, was once, thanks to Voltaire and Byron, an incredibly recognisable and popular figure – a symbol of reckless passion and adventurism, a hero of poems, paintings and even circus performances. I hope that the display of Mazepa’s sabre in the Tower of London will be an opportunity for the British not only to remember him, but also to get to know the real hetman – a much deeper and more multifaceted figure: a statesman, a subtle politician, a patron of the arts and education, a true European of his time. In this sense, Mazepa is a good symbol of our country. He has a depth that is worth discovering,” said Halyna Hryhorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
The Royal Armouries is one of the oldest museums in the world. It houses a national collection of weapons and armour that has been assembled over 700 years. Many of its exhibits are on display at the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by Historic Royal Palaces and visited by over 3 million people every year. Mazepa’s sabre from the Chernihiv Museum is on display in the White Tower, the oldest part of the Tower of London, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
“The exhibition of Mazepa’s sabre is a rare opportunity to see a historical artefact associated with one of Ukraine’s leading statesmen and warriors, who was well known in Europe. Mazepa’s sabre took on symbolic significance when world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk raised it above his head in the ring after his victory over Tyson Fury in 2024. This demonstrates the power that objects can have in shaping national identity and resilience. We are honoured to present this relic alongside the Royal Armouries collection at the Tower of London ahead of Usyk’s fight against Daniel Dubois for the world title on 19 July,” said Nat Edwards, CEO of The Royal Armouries.
“The magnificent exhibition showcasing Ivan Mazepa’s historic sabre at the Tower of London is a rare opportunity to see this powerful symbol of Ukrainian heritage. Such cultural exchanges strengthen the ties between our peoples, as demonstrated by the century-long partnership between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, and remind us why we must continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence,” said Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism of Great Britain.
Historians Serhiy Plokhy and Oleksiy Sokyrko helped create materials for the exhibition. They reveal Mazepa as a warrior, diplomat and patron of the arts. The image of the hetman inspired Victor Hugo, George Byron, Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Ferenc Liszt and many other prominent artists who dedicated their works to him.
The Ukrainian relic in the Tower of London is protected by devices from the project’s security partner, Ajax Systems, the largest manufacturer of security systems in Europe.
UKRAINE WOW is a public organisation founded by Yaroslava Hres and Yuliya Solovey. In cooperation with the Aurora multi-market chain, UKRAINE WOW promotes Ukrainian culture on the world stage and within the country itself. Its mission is to unite people around Ukrainian wow, connecting history and the latest technologies, outstanding figures of the past and top names of the present.