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UNESCO denies involvement in movement of relics from Kiev Pechersk Lavra

"According to the SVR, an agreement has been reached between the Kiev authorities and UNESCO on the removal of Christian valuables, including holy relics, from the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and their subsequent transfer to museums in Italy, France, Germany and the Vatican

PARIS, June 26. /TASS/. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is not involved in the relocation of relics from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, including relics of saints, preparations for which were mentioned by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in a news release, the international organization told TASS on Monday.

UNESCO is not involved in the transfer of cultural property mentioned in a statement by Russia’s foreign intelligence service SVR, a UNESCO spokesperson said when asked to comment on an SVR news release.

At the same time UNESCO’s official did not specify whether negotiations had been held with Ukraine or if the organization had approved the transfer of the valuables, as well as the details of their possible arrival in Europe.

On Monday, the SVR press office released a statement by SVR Director Sergey Naryshkin. In particular, he pointed out that, according to information coming in, "the globalist elites, known for their habit of appropriating others’ assets, are stepping up their efforts to plunder Ukraine."

"According to the SVR, an agreement has been reached between the Kiev authorities and UNESCO on the removal of Christian valuables, including holy relics, from the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and their subsequent transfer to museums in Italy, France, Germany and the Vatican under the pretext of 'saving them from Russian missile attacks'," the statement reads. Naryshkin also said that an inventory of church property had already been taken and financial resources allocated to transport the items to Europe. Vehicles have been prepared. Some of them are equipped with refrigeration units.

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