Zelensky orders law to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage amid Russian attacks

Key facts

• President Zelensky ordered the drafting of a law to protect Ukraine's national shrines and heritage sites.
• The decree coincides with the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The new law will define criteria for designating sites as "national shrines" and include protection measures against Russian aggression.
• The Foreign Ministry is tasked with informing the international community about attacks on Ukrainian heritage and seeking funding for preservation.
• Recent Russian attacks have damaged significant cultural landmarks, including the Chornobyl Museum and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has directed the Ukrainian government to prepare legislation aimed at safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage, particularly its historic shrines. This directive, issued on August 15, coincides with the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site that has sustained damage from Russian missile strikes.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of these sites as symbols of national identity and continuity, stating that they connect Ukrainians to something larger than themselves. The forthcoming bill is intended to establish clear criteria for designating sites as "national shrines" and to implement enhanced protective measures against ongoing Russian aggression, which has increasingly targeted Ukraine's cultural memory.

The decree mandates that the draft law be completed by August 24, Ukraine's Independence Day. It also tasks the Foreign Ministry with alerting the international community to Russia's destruction of Ukrainian heritage, collaborating with allies to ensure accountability, and seeking international support for the preservation and restoration of these invaluable monuments. The ministry is also expected to work towards adding more Ukrainian sites to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

During a ceremony at the Lavra, President Zelensky was joined by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, who discussed the inclusion of key Ukrainian landmarks on the World Heritage list. Zelensky reiterated the critical need to preserve cultural heritage for future generations, especially in the face of deliberate Russian attacks.

This initiative follows Zelensky's earlier proposal for a National Pantheon to honor Ukrainian heroes. The recent months have seen a surge in Russian strikes impacting not only civilians but also cultural institutions, including the National Art Museum, the Kyiv Opera Theater, and the Chornobyl Museum, with significant losses reported from the latter. The June attack on the Lavra was the second time the site had been damaged by Russian strikes since World War II. In response to the evolving nature of threats, Kyiv authorities are also re-evaluating protective measures for city monuments.