UNESCO has expressed its deep dismay at the shelling of cultural sites in Odessa. Among other things, the Transfiguration Cathedral was severely damaged during the night. Russia and Ukraine blame each other.
The UN cultural organization UNESCO has sharply condemned the Russian air raid on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, which also hit the old town, which is a World Heritage Site. In a statement, the organization was “deeply dismayed” by the shelling that hit “several cultural sites”. UNESCO head Audrey Azoulay described the attack as an “escalation of violence against (the) cultural heritage of Ukraine”.
According to Ukrainian sources, the shelling in the night damaged, among other things, the Transfiguration Cathedral in the old town. “The destruction is enormous, half of the cathedral now has no roof,” said Archdeacon Andriy Palchuk. Water from the fire crews covered the floor of the church.
The interior of the cathedral was also badly damaged in the attack.
Cleric blames Russia – Moscow denies
Palchuk said a Russian missile hit the cathedral directly and crashed into the basement. Two people who were in the church at the time were injured. “But with God’s help we will rebuild it,” Paltschuk said. According to local authorities, an icon of Odessa’s patron saint was rescued from the rubble.
Destroyed in 1936 under Soviet ruler Josef Stalin, the cathedral was rebuilt true to the original between 2000 and 2002. It dates from the end of the 18th century. Palchuk called on believers to gather for an outdoor service in front of the destroyed part of the cathedral and pray for protection “from the Russians”.
The Defense Ministry in Moscow denied that a Russian missile was responsible for the damage to the cathedral. A Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile is believed to have crashed into the building, the ministry said.
According to the authorities, one person was killed and 22 injured, including four children, in Russian attacks on Odessa on Sunday. Governor Oleh Kiper said six residential buildings were destroyed. As a result, some residents were temporarily trapped in the rubble of their homes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Twitter, among other things, that “retaliation against the Russian terrorists” would be taken for their actions in Odessa.
Helpers held an outdoor mass in front of the cathedral in the evening.