"Russia has no right to be a member of UNESCO": art museum is damaged as a result of attack on Odesa

The Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko made the announcement.

"With this strike, Russia endangered the historic center of Odessa, which is included in the Preliminary List of UNESCO World Heritage. The blast wave damaged the windows in the building of the Odessa Art Museum," stated Tkachenko.

According to the minister, Ukraine will soon submit an updated version of the nomination dossier to UNESCO. This is an application for the inclusion of a cultural heritage object that may have outstanding universal value. The document specifies a buffer zone for World Heritage sites. Tkachenko added that the seaport is located close to the key objects of Odesa's cultural heritage.

"I once again call on UNESCO and the international community to do everything to stop Russia's attacks on peaceful cities of Ukraine and the destruction of cultural and natural heritage. Russia has no right to be a member of UNESCO, let alone chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee," he added.