UN says Russia’s destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine is an escalation.
UNESCO Condemns Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Cultural Sites
UNESCO, the United Nations’s educational, scientific, and cultural organization, has strongly condemned the recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian cultural sites. The organization expressed its outrage at the destruction caused by Russian missiles, which damaged approximately two dozen Ukrainian architectural landmarks, including a historic Orthodox cathedral in Odesa.
Escalation of Violence Against Cultural Heritage
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s director-general, issued a statement denouncing the attack on Ukraine’s cultural heritage. She emphasized the need for the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
UNESCO will be sending a team of investigators to assess the extent of the destruction caused by the strikes.
War Crimes and Destruction
Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa’s regional military administration, condemned the intentional destruction of cultural sites as potential war crimes. He accused the Russians of deliberately targeting the historic city center of Odessa, which is under UNESCO’s protection. Kiper expressed his dismay at the destruction of architectural masterpieces, stating, “Everything that was built with hard work by great architects is now being destroyed by cynical inhumans.”
Yuri Kruk, the leader of the Ukrainian military command in Odesa, described the strikes as the largest blow to the historic center of the city since the beginning of the war.
Escalating Tensions and Food Insecurity Concerns
Russia’s targeting of the Ukrainian port city of Odesa comes after its decision to withdraw from an agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports. This move has raised concerns about a potential global food insecurity crisis. Additionally, Russian leaders have indicated that they will view ships in the Black Sea as friendly to Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would not rejoin the grain deal until specific conditions are met.
Source: The Washington Examiner
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