Russian invasion: Over 152 cultural sites destroyed in Ukraine
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Paris: The Russia-Ukraine dispute has demolished over 152 cultural and historical sites in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country, the UN experts confirmed on Thursday.
According to agencies, museums, monuments, churches, libraries, and other religious and exceptional buildings were demolished. UNESCO is currently aiding Ukraine in documenting the damages.
Around three-quarters of the regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk and near the capital Kyiv was destroyed in the invasion that began on February 24.
"These repeated attacks on Ukrainian cultural sites must stop. Cultural heritage, in all its forms, should not be targeted under any circumstances," UNESCO'S Director General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.
However, the seven heritage sites such as the Saint Sophia Cathedral and monastic buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the capital, are not yet destroyed by Russia.
Audrey Azoulay's agency is helping Ukraine in marking "blue shields" which means that they are protected under the 1954 Hague convention on culture in armed conflicts where both the countries are signatories.
UNESCO has already given warnings to Russia about destroying heritage monuments, as they breach international law.
UNESCO also informed that they are currently forming a team of experts for protecting the cultural heritage of Ukraine.