UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, has placed World Heritage Sites in Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine, on its “in danger” list, citing the risks posed by the war resulting from Russia’s invasion. This decision was made during UNESCO’s annual World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh and is aimed at enhancing the protection of these historic sites. Inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger also opens the door to additional financial and technical assistance for implementing emergency measures to safeguard these sites.

Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral and the medieval buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site in Kyiv were added to the list due to the threat of destruction posed by the Russian offensive. UNESCO noted that these sites have been under continuous threat since the invasion began on February 24, 2022. Saint Sophia Cathedral dates back to the 11th century and is a well-known landmark in Kyiv, while Lviv’s historic center was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998.

This decision follows UNESCO’s earlier move in January to add the center of Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa to the World Heritage List. In July, Odesa’s city center and an Orthodox cathedral were damaged in a Russian airstrike, drawing condemnation from UNESCO.