A massive Russian missile attack on Kyiv during the night of June 15 caused significant destruction across the Ukrainian capital, killing at least four people and injuring 25 others, including two children and a pregnant woman. Ukrainian authorities also reported that five firefighters were killed in Kharkiv during a secondary strike while responding to an earlier attack, according to the BBC.
Сьогодні вночі росіяни атакували Києво-Печерську лавру(двічі!), кіностудію Довженка та Мистецький арсенал.
Не можуть знищити українську культуру своєю пропагандою — тому бʼють по ній дронами та ракетами.
Так виглядає російське «вєлічіє». pic.twitter.com/eOjqmlThzl
— Андрій Садовий (@AndriySadovyi) June 15, 2026
According to Ukrainian media outlets, among the sites affected in Kyiv was the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the most revered Christian shrines in the Orthodox world. A fire broke out on the monastery grounds, and preliminary reports indicated that the blaze was caused by a direct strike. The Dormition Cathedral, one of the Lavra’s principal churches, sustained damage. The attack also caused extensive destruction to residential buildings and reportedly damaged the Dovzhenko Film Studio.
According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko, and emergency services, firefighters and rescue teams were immediately deployed to contain the fire and assess the extent of the damage.
Reacting to the attack, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine issued a strong statement on social media, describing the strike as “another Russian crime against humanity, against history, and against Christianity.”
“The roof of one of the holiest places in the Christian world—the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra—is burning,” Metropolitan Epifaniy wrote. “We ask for prayers to save this shrine from destruction.”
Как сообщил гендиректор Национального заповедника «Киево-Печерская лавра» Максим Остапенко, в результате дроновой атаки повреждена верхняя часть Успенского собора, история которой берет начало еще в XI веке. pic.twitter.com/o43Oy9ZKQp
— Russia – Common Sense and Legitimate Authority (@bassanets) June 15, 2026
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine called on the international community to take decisive action against Russian aggression and terrorism, questioning how much more devastation must occur before the world responds more firmly.
Concluding his appeal, Metropolitan Epifaniy invoked the protection of the Mother of God, praying for the preservation of the sacred site amid the ongoing conflict.
The attack once again highlighted the devastating impact of the war on Ukraine’s people, cultural heritage, and religious landmarks.
Внаслідок російського обстрілу, який відбувається зараз, вночі 15 червня, горить дах одного з найбільш святих місць християнського світу – Успенського собору Печерської лаври у Києві.
Просимо про молитву за врятування святині від знищення.
Черговий російський злочин проти…
— Митрополит Епіфаній (@Epifaniy) June 14, 2026
