Ukraine: The UNESCO World Heritage body has stated that historical sites in two Ukrainian cities are on high alert for destruction due to the war with Russia. The United Nations (UN) heritage body noted that it is impossible to protect these sites.
The historic sites included in the list are Saint Sophia Cathedral in the capital, Kyiv, and the medieval buildings of the city’s Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site.
“Faced with the risk of direct attack, these sites are also vulnerable to the shockwaves caused by the bombing of the two cities,” the World Heritage Committee concluded.
The list serves as a reminder to UN member states to protect these sites and offers the potential for additional financial and technical support. Russia told the UN that its military is taking steps to prevent harm, but Ukraine disagrees.
The latest additions to the danger list come after the Ukrainian port city of Odesa was added in January 2023, nearly a year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has heavily bombed Odesa in the past few months. This intensified after a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea fell apart.
UNESCO criticized Russia for bombing Ukraine. In July 2023, the organization condemned the bombing of a building near Lviv’s old town.
The city was established during the Middle Ages and has preserved its architectural and cultural heritage. It served as a centre for administration, religion, and commerce from the 13th to the 20th centuries. It received recognition and was added to the World Heritage List in 1998.
UNESCO’s danger list has over 50 sites, including the Old City of Jerusalem, Vienna’s historic centre, and the tropical rainforest on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, which are all at risk.
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