UNESCO has kept three Ukrainian sites – the Saint Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Historic Centre of Lviv, and the Historic Centre of Odesa – on the List of World Heritage in Danger, recognizing the direct threat posed by Russia's aggression.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced this, according to Ukrinform.

During the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, South Korea, the committee adopted the decision by consensus, "recognizing that the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation continues to pose a direct threat to their outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity."

During the review, the Committee considered updated information provided by Ukraine on damage caused by recent Russian missile and drone attacks, as well as the findings of reactive monitoring missions conducted by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS.

"The importance of these decisions lies, in particular, in identifying the cause of the threat to these sites – the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation – and in condemning Russia's ongoing full-scale aggression against Ukraine," the Foreign Ministry emphasized.

The Committee once again called on Russia to refrain from any actions that could cause direct or indirect damage to these sites and to Ukraine's cultural heritage as a whole. At the same time, it positively noted Ukraine's efforts to protect, monitor, and preserve the sites under wartime conditions.

The Committee's decisions provide for continued international monitoring of the preservation status of Ukraine's World Heritage sites, further cooperation between Ukraine and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, advisory bodies, and the World Heritage Committee, as well as the preparation of updated information on the implementation of these decisions for consideration at the Committee's next session in 2027, the Foreign Ministry said.

As reported by Ukrinform, on July 14, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska met in Paris with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, where they discussed the development of a strategic partnership and expanded cooperation.

Photos: MFA