Russia Launches Massive Strike on Kyiv, Hits UNESCO Site
Russian forces launched a massive overnight strike on Kyiv on Monday, hitting the UNESCO World Heritage site Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. At least four people were killed and 25 wounded.
Attack on Kyiv
In the night of June 15, Russian troops carried out a massive strike on Kyiv, hitting several residential areas and infrastructure. One of the attacks struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a monastery complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A strong fire broke out on the territory, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the roof of the Dormition Cathedral, the main church of the complex, caught fire.
According to Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, at least four people were killed and 25 injured. The strikes hit residential buildings in the Pechersk, Solomensky, and Obolon districts, as well as the Shevchenkivsky district, where a market and a grocery store were damaged. In the Obolon district, a residential building partially collapsed. Power lines were damaged in the north, leaving 140,000 subscribers without electricity.
The vicar of the Lavra, Bishop Avraamiy, stated that ancient icons and shrines were evacuated during the fire. “Every damage to such a place is a painful loss not only for believers but for all who recognize the importance of spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage for future generations,” he wrote.
Attack on Kharkiv
In Kharkiv, five firefighters were killed during a Russian strike. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that while extinguishing a fire at one location, a repeat strike killed five rescuers and wounded at least five others.
Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Russia
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones attacked several Russian regions overnight, including the Tula region and Reutov near Moscow. Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported that strikes hit residential areas, killing three people, including a one-year-old child, and wounding three others. In Reutov, a drone strike caused a fire in the industrial zone near the company “Miritall,” located just 700 meters from a military enterprise. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that four drones were repelled during the night.
