The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has put major historical sites in Ukraine’s cities of Kyiv and Lviv in danger of destruction, according to the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The iconic Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the medieval buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site are among the sites at risk. The historic center of Lviv has also been added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger. The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has determined that the optimal conditions to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of these properties can no longer be guaranteed due to the war and the potential danger it poses to these sites. The bombing and shockwaves caused by the attacks are additional threats to these historical sites.
The inclusion of these sites on the danger list serves as a reminder to UN member states about their responsibility to contribute to the protection of the sites and could open the door to additional financial and technical aid. UNESCO has expressed its concern about the potential damage caused by the war and called on Russia to take necessary precautions to prevent harm to these sites, though Russia’s assurances have been disputed by Ukraine.
The recent addition of Kyiv and Lviv to the danger list follows the inclusion of the port city of Odesa in January, almost a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Odesa has been heavily bombarded by Russia, especially after the collapse of a grain export deal through the Black Sea. UNESCO has previously condemned Russia’s bombing in Ukraine, including an attack on a building outside Lviv’s historic old town.
Lviv, a city with a rich architectural and cultural heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, has been an administrative, religious, and commercial center for centuries. It became a World Heritage site in 1998 due to its well-preserved buildings and cultural significance. The Saint Sophia Cathedral, constructed in the 11th century to rival the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, is one of the few surviving buildings from that era. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, was established around the same time and holds historical and cultural significance as the oldest monastic complex of the Rus people.
Currently, there are more than 50 properties on UNESCO’s danger list, including the Old City of Jerusalem, Vienna’s historic center, and the tropical rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The concern for the preservation of these cultural and natural heritage sites highlights the importance of international cooperation and support from member states to safeguard these valuable assets for future generations.
