UNESCO condemns Russian attacks on Odesa’s historic centre

UNESCO has condemned Russia's missile attacks on the World Heritage Site in Odesa

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.