UNESCO has condemned a reported strike that hit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ukraine, following an escalation of the war triggered by Russia’s invasion of the country.
In a statement, UNESCO said the June 15 strike reportedly caused significant damage to the exterior and interior of the Dormition Cathedral, located within the World Heritage property Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The organization noted that adjacent historic structures, including parts of the Lavra’s fortification complex and the Ivan Kushnik Tower, were also reportedly affected.
“UNESCO condemns attacks against cultural property, educational institutions, students, education personnel and media professionals protected under international law,” the statement reads.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized UNESCO for not explicitly stating that Russia was responsible for the strike.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi described the organization’s statement as “absurd,” arguing that UNESCO had failed to identify the source of the attack.
“The organization tasked with protecting cultural heritage does not even know whom it protects it from. Why is it so hard to just say ‘Russian strike’?” Tykhyi stated.
He also criticized UNESCO’s leadership, claiming the organization continues to demonstrate weakness and an inability to fulfill its mandate.
Following the criticism, UNESCO published an official statement condemning the strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
“In the context of the escalation of the war in Ukraine following the invasion by the Russian Federation, UNESCO condemns the reported strike on 15 June that hit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, within the World Heritage property ‘Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’, one of Ukraine’s most significant spiritual and cultural landmarks,” the organization stated.
UNESCO also said it stands ready to support the relevant authorities in assessing damage to cultural and educational institutions and identifying urgent measures within its mandate.
Earlier, Ukraine’s National Commission for UNESCO called on the international community to prevent Russia from participating in the organization’s key governing bodies.
“We call on the international community to stop tolerating these crimes, to increase political, economic and legal pressure on the aggressor state, and to take decisive measures to bring Russia’s aggression to an end as soon as possible,” the Commission stated.
The body also appealed to UNESCO’s leadership for what it described as a firm and unequivocal response to the attack.
UNESCO said it remains ready to support the relevant authorities in assessing damage to cultural and educational institutions and identifying urgent response measures within its mandate.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that the government will allocate funds from the state budget’s reserve fund to restore the Dormition Cathedral.
