Lithuania lodges protest with Russia over destruction of Ukraine's cultural heritage
On 17 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Lithuania and handed a note of strong protest over the attacks carried out by the Russian armed forces on Ukrainian cultural, religious, and scientific sites.
A Russian strike caused particularly severe damage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a significant religious centre in Ukraine and a foundational pillar of the Christian world, as well as an outstanding site of world cultural history, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historic Dormition (Assumption) Cathedral at the complex sustained heavy damage. In addition, this week alone, Russian drones and missiles hit the National Dovzhenko Film Studio and two educational institutions in Kyiv, a college building, and a school in Dnipro. In addition, the Kharkiv Art Museum was struck by a Russian drone on 14 June.
The Republic of Lithuania notes that these attacks of the Russian Federation on Ukraine constitute clear violations of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and recalls that the Russian Federation is also a party to this Convention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines that the sponsors, organisers, and perpetrators of all crimes committed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine will be identified, named, and brought to justice. Under international law, war crimes and other international crimes are not subject to any statute of limitations.
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