The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calculated this Monday at 2.4 billion euros the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine to the country’s heritage and cultural sector.
A total of 248 monuments have been damaged since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with some completely destroyed, especially in the east, according to the UN body.
The Russian offensive also caused the collapse of tourism, arts, sports, leisure and the cultural industry, whose losses will amount to at least €13.9 billion, according to UNESCO.
Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who traveled to Ukraine on Monday, announced her support for Kyiv for the elaboration of “a national plan for the reconstruction of the cultural sector”.
According to Audrey, 6.3 billion euros are needed to rebuild and revitalize this sector in Ukraine.
Seven cultural sites and one native to Ukraine have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since January, including the historic center of Odessa.
Source: DN
