UNESCO mission to assess damage to cultural heritage objects in Odesa

24.07.2023 15:33

Ukrinform

In the coming days, a mission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will arrive in Odesa to make a preliminary assessment of the damage caused to cultural heritage objects by Russian attacks.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Culture and Information Policy Ministry on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The Organization emphasized that deliberate attacks on cultural heritage objects, their destruction and damage can be equated to a war crime. However, Russia still holds membership in UNESCO,” the report states.

The ministry expects active actions to be taken to preserve and restore cultural heritage, and has called for Russia’s expulsion from UNESCO.

A reminder that, on the night of July 23, 2023, Russian troops launched a massive attack on the city of Odesa and the Odesa region, having fired 19 missiles of different types.

Odesa’s UNESCO-protected historic center came under enemy fire. Twenty-five architectural monuments were reported damaged, including the famous Transfiguration Cathedral.

Following the enemy attack, one civilian was killed and 22 injured, including four children.

Photo: Nina Liashonok, Ukrinform