Comment of the MFA of Ukraine Spokesperson on Russian attempts to appropriate objects of Ukrainian Cultural Heritage

The decision of the Russian leadership to include territory and monuments of the National Reserve “Chersonesus” to the Unified register of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation peoples is the evidence of ignorance towards the principles and norms of international law from the Russian side.

In the context of temporary occupation of Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia this decisions cannot be considered in any other way than attempting to appropriate the cultural heritage of Ukraine. It should be recalled that UNESCO included the Ukrainian object “Chersonesus ancient town and its Chora (Sevastopol, Crimea)” to the World Heritage List in June 2013. It is protected by this international organization.

An attempt of Russian invaders to claim Ukrainian object of cultural heritage, which is of universal importance, as their own cannot change anything for the entire civilized world – “Chersonesus ancient town and its Chora” remains Ukrainian contribution to the treasury of UNESCO world heritage. However, the irresponsible actions of the Russian occupation authorities are endangering the existence of “Chersonesus” as an integral historical and architectural complex.

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