The United Nations has expressed deep concern following a Russian strike that damaged the cathedral in the historic centre of Kyiv.
The UNESCO World Heritage site was hit during a wave of attacks that caused further destruction to civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital.
The UN Secretary-General's deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, condemned the incident, emphasising the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage during armed conflict.
“We’ve expressed our concerns, including through UNESCO, about the need to protect World Heritage Sites,” Haq told the Ukraine National News Agency. “All of these sites should be off limits to such attacks.”
St Sophia Cathedral, a symbol of Ukrainian history and identity, dates back to the 11th century and is one of the most significant religious and architectural landmarks in Eastern Europe.
