Since the eruption of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a staggering total of 341 cultural sites have been reported damaged in this Eastern European nation. One of the most profoundly impacted structures is the Transfiguration Cathedral, a renowned World Heritage Site located in the historical city of Odessa. This distressing information was disclosed by UNESCO from its headquarters in Paris on Tuesday.
A historical gem, the cathedral was initially shut down in 1936 under the oppressive regime of Soviet ruler Josef Stalin. However, it was painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original splendor between the years 2000 and 2002, in an effort to preserve its cultural significance.
The extent of the damage sustained by these 341 cultural sites is currently incalculable. However, an overall estimate of the total damage inflicted on cultural and tourist structures since the onset of the war on February 24, 2022, is projected to be around a staggering $3.5 billion.
$3.5 billion worth of damage inflicted on Ukrainian cultural sites
In the past couple of years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, based in the French capital of Paris, has managed to mobilize around $66 million to aid in the restoration efforts. According to UNESCO, the most substantial financial contribution has come from Japan, with a generous donation of $25 million.
