UNESCO condemns Russian attacks on Odesa’s historic centre

This was reported by the Odesa City Council with reference to a UNESCO press release.

UNESCO has called on Russia to stop attacking cultural property, which is protected by widely ratified international instruments.

"A preliminary assessment in Odesa has revealed damage to several museums inside the World Heritage property, including the Odesa Archaeological Museum, the Odesa Maritime Museum and the Odesa Literature Museum," the statement said.

It is noted that all museums were awarded the Blue Shield, a distinctive emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention, by UNESCO and local authorities.

"This war represents an ever-increasing threat to Ukrainian culture. To date, UNESCO has verified damage to 270 cultural sites in Ukraine since 24 February 2022," the statement reminded.

• On the night of July 20, Russia attacked a number of regions of southern and eastern Ukraine: an administrative building was destroyed in Odesa, 4 people were injured; a fire broke out in a residential building in Mykolaiv, killing and injuring at least 19 people.

• On the night of July 21, the Russian army launched a missile attack on Odesa region, injuring two people and destroying 120 tonnes of agricultural products.