The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has voiced harsh criticism against UNESCO. Kyiv is dissatisfied with the international organization's reaction to the attack by Russian forces on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which occurred on the night of June 15.

According to Georgiy Tikhyy, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the official statement by UNESCO lacks a direct indication of who struck the World Heritage site. This has caused outrage on the Ukrainian side.

«Absurdity» and lack of leadership

Tikhyy called the situation absurd, emphasizing that the organization tasked with protecting cultural heritage cannot name the aggressor. «Why is it so difficult to simply say „Russian strike'?», — the diplomat asked rhetorically.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement also notes that under the leadership of UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, the organization demonstrates weakness and an inability to fulfill its mandate. Kyiv believes that the international community must clearly identify those responsible for the destruction of historical monuments.

Details of the attack and scale of destruction

Recall that on the night of June 15, Russian forces carried out a massive combined attack on Kyiv. The famous Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra came under fire. As a result of the shelling, a fire broke out in the Dormition Cathedral, which firefighters extinguished.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) determined that the attack on the area where the Lavra and the «Mystetskyi Arsenal» are located was intentional. The enemy used «Geran-2» type drones for the strike.

The consequences of the attack were severe not only for cultural objects. According to the latest data, five people were killed in the capital, and another 34 were injured. Residential buildings, cultural heritage sites, and civilian infrastructure were damaged. The Kyiv region was also hit, where housing destruction and injuries, including a child, were recorded.

Losses in the film industry

Particular damage was inflicted on the National Film Studio named after Alexander Dovzhenko. As a result of the fire that arose after the strike, the largest and oldest collection of stage costumes in Ukraine was destroyed. This event became a tragedy for Ukrainian cinematography and cultural heritage in general.