UNESCO Condemns Russia's Attack on Orthodox Cathedral in Odessa

Russia's recent attack on Odessa, which resulted in the deaths of two people and serious damage to the historic Orthodox cathedral, prompted a reaction from UNESCO. The largest Orthodox church in Odessa is located in the UNESCO-protected historic center of the city. Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, described the attack as 'brazen' and condemned it. This attack occurred while Vladimir Putin met with his Belarusian counterpart in Russia, claiming that Kyiv's counteroffensive had failed. Early on Sunday, July 23, Russia launched a large-scale airstrike against the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine, resulting in 'two deaths and nearly twenty' injuries. According to Reuters, Oleg Kiper, the governor of the Odessa region in southern Ukraine, wrote on his Telegram messenger: 'Odessa witnessed another nighttime attack from the monsters.' Oleg Kiper stated that as a result of the Russian missile attacks, one person was killed and at least nineteen others, including four children, were injured, with fourteen hospitalized. He added that these missile attacks also destroyed six houses and residential buildings. Since withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal last week, Russia has targeted the port city of Odessa in its attacks. The Ukrainian government labeled the attack on the cathedral as a 'war crime' and Zelensky vowed to retaliate. Russia's attacks on the port city of Odessa have left one dead and at least 18 injured, disrupting grain exports; this was the second nighttime attack by Russia on the port of Odessa in Ukraine. Russia conducted a 'retaliatory' attack on the port of Odessa in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry reported a renewed drone attack by Ukraine on Crimea.