Today, June 15, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, a visit was organized for more than 70 heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Ukraine to the site of yet another russian crime against culture — the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was targeted overnight by a russian air attack.
Taking part in the briefing for foreign diplomats were Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna, Chair of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa, and the leadership of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the "Kyiv Pechersk Lavra" National Reserve.
As a result of the russian strike on the Lavra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cultural property under enhanced protection within the framework of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the Dormition Cathedral was among the sites seriously damaged.
Addressing those present, Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna stressed that Russia is deliberately and cynically attacking Ukrainian identity and has no intention of stopping. In this regard, Tetiana Berezhna called on foreign countries to strengthen sanctions against the aggressor state and emphasized the importance of assistance in supporting and restoring Ukraine's cultural heritage, including through the mechanisms of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund.
On behalf of Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Chair of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO and Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa stressed: "Russia is committing cultural genocide in Ukraine. Tonight's attack on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is a flagrant crime by the aggressor state. Russia must be held accountable for its horrific crimes against Ukraine, Ukrainians, and our culture and identity — a terrorist state has no place in the UN or UNESCO." The Deputy Minister stressed that, as part of the response to this horrific russian crime, Ukraine supports convening an emergency session of the UN Security Council, as well as a special session of the UNESCO Executive Board. Mariana Betsa expressed deep gratitude to all foreign diplomats whose governments condemned russian terror and affirmed their readiness to take concrete steps to help Ukrainian culture.
According to the Reserve's Director General Maksym Ostapenko, about 80% of the roof of the Dormition Cathedral was damaged. At the same time, thanks to firefighters, it was possible to save the cultural treasures inside the cathedral and preserve its iconostasis.
Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Andrii Danyk, during his briefing for the diplomatic corps, reported that during the russian attack, firefighters had to fight fires at 28 locations simultaneously. This required maximum concentration of forces; however, the selfless efforts of State Emergency Service personnel made it possible to prevent the fire from penetrating inside the building. Andrii Danyk also recalled that explosions from russian missiles and drones were heard in various Ukrainian cities, and in Kharkiv, rescuers were killed as a result of a repeated strike by russian terrorists.