“Russian attack on World Heritage sites in Lviv causes uproar”

“During a massive attack on Ukraine on the night of March 23 to 24, Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and 34 missiles.”

“Several cities in western Ukraine were attacked, including Lviv where several people were killed and more than 40 injured.”

“Damage to 17th-century church and archive building”

“Though several of the church's windows were shattered in the attack, the most significant stained-glass window depicting the Madonna with Child was spared.”

“The Central State Historical Archives in Lviv is located in a building adjacent to the church. Much of its collection comes from the Bernardine Archive that was founded in 1784 and housed in the same building.”

“Anatolii Khromov, who is the head of the institution today, told DW that the archives held some of the oldest documents relating to Ukrainian history, including three 12th-century birch bark manuscripts, which are among the most significant examples of Old Russian.”

“The archive building is dilapidated, and any explosion, such as the one on March 24, poses a risk to the collection.”

“The facade, windows and paintings are damaged. We are currently taking the necessary steps to repair the damage as quickly as possible.”

“Russian officials and pro-Russian outlets have justified the attack by claiming that 'foreign mercenaries' were hiding in the archive building, allegations that Khromov vehemently denied.”

“He said that staff members had been working around the clock to digitize historical documents to protect the archives as effectively as possible.”

“The Russian attack also hit a 19th-century building that was once a prison and now houses the National Museum-Memorial of Victims of the Occupation Regime.”

“Almost all the windows were shattered — they were witnesses to the Stalinist crimes of the past century”

“Ukraine's Culture Ministry announced it was documenting all crimes against the country's cultural heritage and was working with international partners to hold those responsible to account.”

“Our team is currently preparing a report for UNESCO to inform them of the damage to a World Heritage site.”

“UNESCO said that it was 'deeply alarmed' by the strikes. 'UNESCO recalls that cultural property is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention,' it wrote in a statement...”

“Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has since announced that UNESCO experts will be travelling to Lviv to document the damage.”

“But we demand more than just condemnation — we demand concrete action. For example, sanctions against Russia in the cultural sector. The goal is to completely isolate Russia”

“The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance called for Russia to be expelled from UNESCO. It has already launched a petition and appealed to the international community for support.”

“Oleksandr Alfyorov, director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, stated Russia should be barred from participating in international cultural events and organizations.”