During the Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of June 15, the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, a historical and architectural monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, whose history dates back to the 11th century, was damaged.
According to the general director of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Maxim Ostapenko, two targeted strikes were carried out on the territory of the complex. One of the Russian drones hit the central part of the Assumption Cathedral, Meduza reports.
A large-scale fire broke out, quickly covering 800 square meters. meters of the temple area – mainly the upper tiers of its vault. After several hours of fighting the fire, firefighters managed to extinguish flame and save the cathedral from complete destruction.
The second blow hit the Ioann Kushnik Tower and the building of the Mystetskyi Arsenal museum complex; the fire engulfed about 1000 square meters. meters of the museum complex.
President Vladimir Zelensky called the attack on the Lavra “one of the largest Russian crimes against Christian culture.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said that the Ukrainian side will initiate all necessary procedures to obtain an international response to this “act of state barbarity.”
