UNESCO Representatives Assess Damage to Lviv’s Cultural Heritage, Destroyed Following Russian Attacks

On March 30, UNESCO representatives visited cultural heritage sites in Lviv, Ukraine, that have been damaged as a result of Russia's ongoing aggression. The visit took place within the framework of the international conference on Ukrainian culture, “Cooperation for Resilience,” which was held in Lviv.

During a briefing, Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, Tetiana Berezhna, shared insights about the visit, as reported by the Ukrinform correspondent.

“Here, we also have UNESCO representatives, and now they will go to view the destruction. From our side, the Ministry of Culture will do everything possible to ensure that UNESCO representatives not only express concern but also propose very radical mechanisms to address Russia for the crimes against Ukrainian cultural heritage that have occurred here,” Berezhna said.

The event addressed recorded losses, key challenges, and practical solutions to protect cultural heritage, support artists, and maintain continuity in cultural life. It brought together 40 foreign delegations, including 10 ministers of culture from European and global nations.

On March 24, Russian forces launched drone strikes targeting the historic center of Lviv, causing substantial damage to a residential building and reportedly impacting UNESCO World Heritage sites.

According to the officials, the assault led to significant damage to a residential structure in the city center, with local emergency services quickly responding to the scene. Kozytskyi indicated that the attack also caused harm to the city's UNESCO-listed heritage sites.

Later updates from the head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi revealed that the affected site was the Bernardine Monastery Complex, located in the historic part of Lviv. This site is registered in the International Register of Cultural Heritage, under enhanced protection.

The same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that an agreement has been reached with UNESCO experts to assess the damage caused by the Russian drone strike on Lviv.

“This attack goes beyond just buildings in Lviv's center. It is an assault on UNESCO’s world heritage, an attack on UNESCO as an organization, and an attack on all those worldwide who care about cultural heritage. We demand strong reactions,” Sybiha emphasized.

Following the attack, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory (UINP) has called on the international community to sign an open letter condemning Russia's attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage sites, especially those under UNESCO protection.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the UINP reported that over 1,600 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed.

“Constant attacks on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, particularly those under UNESCO protection, are part of a deliberate Kremlin policy aimed at erasing Ukrainian national memory and cultural identity,” the UINP stated.

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UNESCO has previously voiced serious concerns regarding the Russian drone attacks on Lviv’s historic center.

In an official statement released on March 26, UNESCO expressed its “deep alarm” over the attack, particularly the damage inflicted on the Bernardine Monastery, a key part of the “Ensemble of the Historic Center of Lviv” World Heritage site.

The organization emphasized that cultural heritage is safeguarded under international law, specifically referencing the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, as well as the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. UNESCO reiterated that all parties to the conflict have a responsibility to protect cultural heritage and avoid actions that could jeopardize it.

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