‘A volatile canvas’: Banksy bequest in Ukraine’s rubble leaves dilemma for preservers

Would-be thieves of Banksy graffito painted in ruins of war anticipated challenges facing those hoping to preserve it for nation's future

A wide-ranging public discussion is taking place in Ukraine over what to do with seven street murals painted in November by the British artist Banksy on a series of destroyed buildings in and around Kyiv.

The conversation has grown urgent after thieves last month made off with one artwork from the town of Hostomel, about 15 miles (25km) outside the capital. It shows a woman in a gas mask and dressing gown holding a red fire extinguisher. She is standing next to a real flame-blackened window.