Ukraine has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following what it described as heavy Russian attacks that caused extensive damage across the country, including a strike on a historic monastery complex.
Kiev said on Monday that the strikes badly damaged the Dormition Cathedral in the Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Ukraine’s most significant religious and cultural landmarks.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also initiated responses through the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and UNESCO.
According to Sybiha, the attacks targeted Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipro and other cities, killing civilians and emergency responders and wounding children.
“By attacking our people, our cities and our cultural and religious heritage, Russia demonstrates utter contempt for international law and the principles the United Nations was created to defend,” he said on X.
Ukraine called for a strong international response, arguing that increased pressure on Moscow is needed.
