Unesco has condemned Friday’s large-scale Russian attack that struck the historic centre of Odessa, a World Heritage Site.

“On the night of 14-15 November, a large-scale Russian attack struck the historic centre of Odessa, which has been protected since January 2023 under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention,” the organization said in a statement.

UNESCO condemns the strikes that hit several historic buildings and schools in the Historic Centre of #Odesa, a World Heritage site.

A mission of experts was deployed to the site on Saturday to assess damage & support emergency measures.

Full statement: https://t.co/EpZ9rRlaz6 pic.twitter.com/sKSetubWk6

— UNESCO Kyiv (@unesco_kyiv) November 18, 2024

A preliminary report cites damage to some 20 buildings, including historical, religious and some educational, UNESCO says, condemning the attacks as contrary to international law and expressing its support for the victims.

A Unesco delegation arrived at the site on Saturday to assess the damage and rescue the buildings.

At least 8 people were killed and 39 wounded today in a new Russian missile attack on Odessa, local governor Oleh Kipper said.

Recently, Russian forces have stepped up their attacks against the southern part of Ukraine, hitting mostly non-combatant ships in ports in the Odessa region.