Europe Asia News

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha drew attention to the historical and cultural dimensions of the attack, describing the actions of the Russian Federation as “state barbarism” and announcing that legal proceedings would be initiated in international institutions.

Emphasizing the scale of the attack and the historical destruction it could cause, Sybiha stated: “By attacking the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Christianity’s greatest holy sites, Putin has permanently inscribed his name on the list of history’s worst barbarians. He should be cursed for centuries. And he will lose this war.”

Comparing Kyiv’s past historical invasions with the current situation, Sybiha said: “From the Horde of the 13th century to the Nazis and Bolsheviks of the 20th century, Kyiv’s sacred monasteries have endured countless barbaric attacks. Now we are facing Russian terrorists who have surpassed even ISIS in crimes against cultural heritage. Only Russian scoundrels, for whom nothing is sacred, could deliberately damage the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a unique UNESCO heritage site under special protection.”

Minister Sybiha stated that Ukraine would pursue diplomatic and legal initiatives on the international stage, concluding his message with the words: “Demanding urgent and adequate responses to this state barbarism, we will immediately initiate all relevant procedures within UNESCO and all other international mechanisms.”