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Unesco has verified more than 150 cultural sites in Ukraine have been either partially or completely destroyed since the Vladimir Putin-led invasion by Russia
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Jun 2022
Unesco has attempted to preserve cultural sites during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Credit: Unesco / Alexandre Larcan
A new assessment of the damage caused to cultural sites in Ukraine since the start of the Vladimir Putin-led Russian invasion of the country has revealed that 152 sites have now been partially or totally destroyed during the offensive.
Published by Unesco, the assessment says that 70 religious buildings, 30 historical buildings, 18 cultural centres, 15 monuments, 12 museums and seven libraries have been partially or totally destroyed as a result of the fighting in Ukraine. So far no Unesco World Heritage Sites have been affected.
“These repeated attacks on Ukrainian cultural sites must stop,” said Audrey Azoulay, director-general of Unesco.
“Cultural heritage, in all its forms, should not be targeted under any circumstances. I reiterate my call for the respect of international humanitarian law, in particular the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.”
According to the report, more than three-quarters of the sites are in three primary regions - Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv. In Donetsk, where the fighting is particularly intense, 45 sites have been damaged or destroyed. In Kharkiv, the number totals 40, while in Kyiv 26 sites have been hit.
Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Unesco has taken a series of emergency measures that aim to prevent as much destruction as possible. Among these measures, the organisation provided technical advice to cultural professionals in the field to protect buildings and inventory works, shelters were identified to secure objects that could be moved, and fire-fighting measures were reinforced.
Additionally, Unesco assisted Ukrainian authorities in marking cultural sites with the distinctive blue shield emblem - something that indicates protection under the 1954 Hague Convention and therefore means that any infringement is considered a violation of international law and can be prosecuted.
“By recording and documenting the damage and destruction of cultural sites, Unesco not only warns of the seriousness of the situation but also prepares for future reconstruction,” said a Unesco statement.
“Although it is still too early to start work, the UN organisation has already created a fund dedicated to actions in support of Ukraine and has launched an appeal for contributions to its Member States for a rapid response.
“With the same objective, Unesco is in the process of setting up a team dedicated to the protection of cultural property, based in Kyiv, and will soon send a mission of heritage experts to the country.”
Heritage
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