UNESCO has recommended including the Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the historical center of Lviv in the list of World Heritage sites in danger. This was announced by the Head of the UNESCO Office in Ukraine, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi.
"UNESCO recently recommended adding two more Ukrainian sites to the list of World Heritage sites that are under threat and require preservation. These are the Saint Sophia Cathedral and its adjoining monastery buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, as well as the ensemble of the historical center of Lviv," she noted during a briefing.
According to the Head of UNESCO in Ukraine, the final decision will be made by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in September. As of July 26, during the course of the full-scale invasion, UNESCO has confirmed damage to 274 sites in Ukraine. These include 117 religious sites, 27 museums, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, 1 archive, as well as 98 buildings of historical or artistic interest.
Specifically, on the night of July 23, Russian terrorist forces attacked Odessa. As a result of the strike, two people were killed, and over 20 others were wounded. The enemy attack targeted the historical center of the city, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Significant damage was inflicted on the Transfiguration Cathedral, the House of Scientists, and several other buildings and monuments. On July 29, a UNESCO mission began its work in the city, having arrived in Odessa to assess the damage caused by the Russian attack.