UNESCO Confirms 53 Cultural Sites In Ukraine That Are Damaged From Ongoing War

War often leaves wreckage in its wake, and as reports emerge detailing shocking civilian killings by Russian troops in Ukraine, another aspect of the country is facing destruction: cultural and historic sites.

Currently, UNESCO has confirmed damage to at least 53 such cultural sites, having assessed claims made by Ukrainian authorities and monitoring the structures via satellite imagery.  

The 53 sites, which are spread across several regions in the nation, include 29 religious sites, 16 historic buildings, four monuments, and four museums.

According to ARTnews, one of the damaged sites is the Drobitsky Yar Holocaust memorial, at which a giant menorah commemorating the 16,000 Jews murdered in Kharkiv was destroyed by Russian forces last month. 

Since the start of the war, UNESCO has enacted emergency measures in an attempt to protect these historical structures, such as by holding online meetings with officials to provide expert advice on how to respond to emergencies.

An agency spokesperson told NPR it has assisted these sites in locating “safe havens” to store important artifacts, as well as in recommending better fire fighting procedures for places that have been hit by missile attacks.

Additionally, UNESCO has reached out to Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, with location details of the heritage sites in Ukraine and a reminder that these structures are to be protected under the Hague Convention. 

If attacks continue against sites marked with a blue shield—an emblem distinguishing them to be under the protection of the Convention—it’s possible the perpetrator will be held responsible for committing war crimes when the dispute is over.

While most of us can do little to ease the plight of Ukrainians from miles away, contributing to its conservation efforts could be one way to play a part in protecting the country’s legacy and culture. Head here to donate to UNESCO’s action in Ukraine. 

[via NPR and ARTnews, cover image via Andrew Zimmer | Dreamstime.com]