(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 05 - Russian forces have damaged 1,189 cultural sites in Ukraine from February 24, the day of the invasion, to today, while one out of three sites, i.e. 446, is in ruins.
This was announced by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, writes the Kiev Independent.
The largest number of damaged destroyed sites was recorded in Donetsk, Kiev, Kharkiv, Lugansk, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kherson oblasts.
The real number of cultural sites damaged due to Russia's war is expected to be higher, however, as the current count does not include territories occupied by the Russians or where hostilities are ongoing, the ministry added.
In addition, Unesco has verified damage to 231 sites as of December 23, including 102 religious sites, 18 museums, 81 buildings of historical and/or artistic importance, 19 monuments and 11 libraries.
(HANDLE).
