The United Nations cultural agency has designated the Ukrainian port city of Odesa an endangered World Heritage site, despite Russian opposition.
Unesco said it recognised the ' the outstanding universal value' of the historic site. But Russia criticised the move, saying it was "politically motivated", BBC reported.
Last year, when Odesa, known as the pearl of the Black Sea was bombed several times, residents rushed to protect monuments by covering them with sandbags.
"There was first a symbolic aspect which is that of saying this city belongs to the world heritage, it concerns us all, we are all looking at it, we all see it and we recognise its history and its contribution to the heritage," she said. "That's already an important symbolic aspect," Unesco director-general Audrey Azoulay told BBC.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "grateful to partners who help protect our pearl from the Russian invaders' attacks". Being added to the 'Danger list, allows the city to seek technical and financial assistance to ensure the protection of the property and, if necessary, assist in its rehabilitation.
Seven other sites including Saint-Sophia Cathedral Kyiv been added to Unesco's World Heritage List.
