During intense ballistic missile and drone attacks by Russia on the night of June 15, one of Kyiv's most important religious and cultural heritage sites, the Assumption Cathedral at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, caught fire. At least 4 people lost their lives and 30 were injured in Kyiv during the attacks.
Authorities announced that among the injured were a pregnant woman and two children aged 5 and 6. In the capital, multi-story apartment buildings, warehouses, commercial buildings, a marketplace, homes, and power lines were also hit.
Historic Monastery Complex Directly Targeted
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is known as one of Ukraine's most revered religious sites. The cathedral, built in the 11th century, marks the second attack on this site during Russia's full-scale war and the third since World War II.
During the attack, emergency evacuation efforts were made for ancient icons, antimensia, and other religious artifacts in the monastery. Officials stated it was not immediately clear whether the sacred items were damaged.
The first explosions in the capital were heard around 1:00 AM local time, followed by new blasts at approximately 1:30 AM and 3:40 AM. Air raid alarms were also active in the central and eastern regions of the country.
Multiple Locations in Kyiv Struck
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the third and fourth floors of a residential building in the Obolon district partially collapsed. A nine-story building in Solomianskyi and a five-story residential building in Pechersk were also damaged.
Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Military Administration, said a fire broke out in a three-story residential building in Podil, and a 25-story apartment building in Shevchenkivskyi was hit. A total of 30 vehicles were also burned in the capital.
The attacks caused severe power outages across Kyiv. Klitschko noted that about 140,000 subscribers were left without electricity and that more than 50 locations in the capital were hit.
Cultural Institutions, Studio, and Logistics Center Also Damaged
The Mystetskyi Arsenal art and culture complex opposite the Lavra also caught fire after being hit by a Russian Shahed-type drone. Museum officials confirmed the building was burning.
Kyiv's Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio was also affected by the attack. It was reported that Ukraine's largest and oldest costume collection was destroyed, which included 100,000 costumes and 3 million clothing items.
A large transfer center belonging to Nova Poshta on the capital's ring road was also damaged. The company stated that no employees were injured in the incident.
In Kyiv Oblast, fires broke out in homes, vehicles, and warehouses in the communities of Brovary, Bucha, Vyshhorod, Fastiv, and Boryspil. The State Emergency Service confirmed the damage in the region.
Other Cities in the Country Also Attacked
In Kharkiv, five emergency responders were killed and at least four people were injured during the night attack. In Sumy, a drone strike injured three people, including a child, and damaged a non-residential building.
At least one injury was reported in Dnipro. The regional governor announced that a college building was destroyed and the city's historic Organ and Chamber Music Hall was also damaged.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that six Zircon anti-ship missiles, 34 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 30 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 611 attack drones were used in the assault. Air defenses shot down 5 Zircon missiles, 15 ballistic missiles, all 30 cruise missiles, and 582 drones.
Nevertheless, 20 ballistic missiles and 27 drones penetrated defenses and struck 42 locations. Falling drone debris caused damage at 12 additional sites.
International Reactions Followed
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on international organizations to take immediate action following the attack. The European Union's Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, described the strike as a blow to one of Eastern Christianity's holiest sites and condemned it.
The Kyiv administration views the latest wave of attacks as a new phase of pressure targeting civilians and the country's cultural heritage. Officials reported that damage assessment and firefighting efforts continue in the capital.
