Ukraine’s historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery set on fire in major Russian attack

Ukraine's revered Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, suffered significant damage after being engulfed in flames following a major Russian missile and drone attack on June 15, 2026. The historic Dormition Cathedral within the complex was directly hit, with its roof catching fire and sustaining substantial damage across an area of approximately 800 square meters.

The overnight assault on Kyiv, described as one of Russia's heaviest air raids in weeks, resulted in multiple casualties, including at least five people killed and dozens injured in the capital alone. Ukrainian officials condemned the strike as a deliberate act against a significant Christian shrine and an attack on the country's heritage and humanity.

This recent bombardment, which also affected other parts of Ukraine like Kharkiv, left numerous residential buildings damaged and approximately 140,000 households in Kyiv without electricity. International bodies, including UNESCO, have also condemned the attack on the historic monastery.