UNESCO condemns Russian missile strike on Odesa's historic center

UNESCO Ukraine said this in a statement posted on its Facebook page, Ukrinform reports.

"UNESCO condemns the missile attack on the historic center of Odesa last night, a World Heritage site, severely damaging at least two cultural buildings placed under UNESCO Conventions' protection. These repeated attacks must stop. International law must be respected," the statement reads.

The organization noted that its team is already at work to promptly support the urgent documentation of damage and identify with the Ukrainian authorities the required emergency interventions.

"A mission will be deployed by UNESCO shortly," the organization added.

On January 31, Russian forces launched three ballistic missiles at Odesa, injuring seven people.

Ukraine's Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Mykola Tochytskyi, reported that several cultural heritage sites in Odesa, including the Philharmonic building, suffered damage. The Philharmonic is under UNESCO protection.

Ukraine has called for tougher sanctions against those responsible for targeting its cultural heritage.

In total, around 15 cultural heritage sites in Odesa sustained damage of varying severity.