Three museums damaged in Odesa city center after missile attacks
Russian invasion forces carried out another massive missile attack on the southern regions of Ukraine in the early hours of July 20, hitting Odesa and Mykolaiv once again. The center of Odesa, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is now under threat.
As a result of the missile attack on July 20, two museums in Odesa sustained damage: the Odesa Literary Museum, the Odesa Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Western and Eastern Art. The first museum’s building suffered structural damage, while the second museum had its windows and doors partially affected.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy has emphasized that these museums are situated within Odesa’s historical center, including the vulnerable port area. This area of the city has endured continuous attacks and destruction for the past three days and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The ministry is currently preparing a letter to UNESCO to outline the extent of the damage, as announced in their official statement.
The extent of the destruction at Odesa’s museums was also revealed by Oleksandra Kovalchuk, the Deputy Director for Development at the Odesa Art Museum.
“During today’s shelling, explosions damaged windows and partially affected the ceilings in three of Odesa’s museums,” she wrote, noting that the situation is further complicated by heavy rainfall.
In a separate missile attack in Mykolaiv, a significant architectural monument was completely destroyed. The monument previously housed the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Folk Art and Cultural Education.
“The terrorist country’s agony and its ability to continue producing weaponry despite sanctions enable Russia to believe it will act with impunity,” the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy’s statement reads.
The situation in Odesa had already attracted international attention. In January 2023, UNESCO took action by including Odesa’s historic port city center on its list of endangered World Heritage Sites. This listing highlights the urgency of protecting the city’s unique cultural and historical significance amid the ongoing conflict.
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