UN Secretary-General’s Office concerned over Russian attacks on hospitals, cultural heritage sites

The spokesman spoke in response to an enquiry from Ukrinform’s staff correspondent to comment on recent Russian strikes on civilian facilities, in particular, a maternity hospital in Odesa, St. Sophia Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the National Museum of Ukraine’s History in World War II.

Haq emphasized the seriousness of the situation, pointing to the significant destruction of civil infrastructure caused by Russian shelling.

Haq recalled that Russia had attacked a large number of healthcare facilities since the large-scale war.

“World Health Organization has reported almost 2,500 such attacks since February of 2022 that's a very serious set of infractions, because health facilities are supposed to be spared,” the deputy spokesman noted.

He also emphasized the UN’s position on the protection of cultural heritage.

“We've expressed our concerns, including through UNESCO, about the need to protect World Heritage Sites. All of those should be off limits from these sorts of attacks.”

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on the night of Monday to Tuesday, Russian air strikes inflicted damage on a maternity hospital in Odesa, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, and a few days ago, the building of the National Museum of Ukraine’s History in World War 2.