Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I spoke with UNESCO Director-General Dr. Khaled El-Enany about Russia’s latest massive attacks against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. 

In just two recent waves of strikes, Russia launched more than 1,250 attack drones and 163 missiles, damaging some of Ukraine’s most important cultural institutions, including the National Chornobyl Museum, National Opera, National Art Museum and many others. Several damaged objects are located within the buffer zone of UNESCO World Heritage site. 

It is particularly cynical that Russia, a member of UNESCO, continues to target cultural heritage, showing total disregard for the organization’s core principles and objectives. 

Russia’s war targets our people and cities, but also culture, education, and everything that shapes Ukraine’a identity and historical memory. The scale and systematic nature of this destruction require a stronger response from UNESCO. 

I stressed the need for such a response and all necessary measures to hold the aggressor accountable. Ukraine is considering further steps within UNESCO, including consultations on convening a special session of its Executive Board dedicated to the consequences of Russia’s aggression. 

I also invited Dr. El-Enany to visit Ukraine and witness the consequences of Russia’s attacks firsthand".