UNESCO takes Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv under protection

The Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv. Photo: Wikipedia

On 14 December, the UNESCO Committee expanded the List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection in the event of armed conflict, inscribing into it the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv, reports the Ministry of Culture.

In addition to the Chernihiv cathedral, cultural heritage monuments located in Odesa, Chernihiv, Lviv and Transcarpathian regions, including wooden churches in the Carpathian region, are subject to protection.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy Anastasia Bondar, commenting on UNESCO's decision, said that the list of properties under enhanced protection is expanded precisely because of Russian aggression.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has launched more than 10,000 missiles and drones into Ukraine. As a result, more than 1,700 cultural infrastructure sites and over 870 cultural heritage monuments have been damaged or destroyed in the country. I believe that together with the UNESCO community we will create a strong circle of support where cultural heritage unites us stronger than any force that tries to divide us," Bondar said.

As reported, on the morning of 14 December 2023, representatives of the Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" guarded by people in camouflage entered the Trinity Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chernihiv and did not let any of the clergy inside.

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