Royal Armouries displays body armour damaged in Ukraine war

Two decorated pieces of body armour from Ukraine have been installed at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds as part of a new display showcasing modern combat body armour plates.  

The exhibits bear the scars of the current war in Ukraine having saved the lives of their Ukrainian wearers.

As part of an initiative started by the Ukrainian charity, Art Armor, the two plates have been decorated with Ukrainian Orthodox iconography and blessed by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with the aim of transforming the plates “into profound symbols of both protection and resilience, contrasting the brutal reality of warfare with spirituality and art”. 

The museum said in a statement: “Beyond their practical purpose, these armours also carry significant spiritual meaning, embodying a heritage that links the protective power of faith with the extreme needs of modern conflict.” 

This display aims to provide visitors with an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the support provided by international allies.

The plates are a loan from armour manufacturer NP Aerospace, which has donated tens of thousands of similar items of equipment to the armed forces of Ukraine.

“Not only do these objects allow us to reflect upon the realities of modern conflict and battlefield technology, but also represent a long tradition of armour being used as a canvas for artistic endeavours and religious iconography,” said Scott Hurst, the Royal Armouries’ assistant curator of arms and armour.

“Our collection illustrates that the presence of art on armour has long been a feature of history, with combatants throughout the ages turning to symbols of faith for strength and protection. 

“The gallery is proof that while equipment is constantly modernising, the experience of the soldier in conflict largely remains the same.”

The plates will be on display from 12 November 2024 to May 2025 in the War Gallery at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The Museums Association, Icom-UK and Icom-Ukraine are working together to produce a new museum guide to decolonisation focused on Ukraine. The project team members will share their thoughts on the processes and lessons learnt in producing the guide in a session at Conference 2024: The Joy of Museums (1120-1220, Tuesday 12 November)