A historic monastery in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, was damaged and set on fire during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack that killed several people and caused destruction across the city.
The attack struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important religious landmarks in Eastern Europe. The monastery, founded in 1051, has served as a spiritual and cultural center for nearly a thousand years. During the overnight assault, the roof of the Dormition Cathedral caught fire, sending smoke rising above the historic complex.
Ukrainian officials condemned the strike, describing it as an attack on the country's cultural and religious heritage. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the damage to the monastery represented one of the most serious attacks on Christian heritage since the war began.
The monastery is one of Ukraine's most treasured religious sites and attracts thousands of worshippers and visitors every year. The sprawling complex contains churches, chapels, bell towers, and underground caves that hold the remains of monks who lived there centuries ago.
Russia denied responsibility for the damage, claiming that the monastery was struck by a misfired air defense missile rather than a Russian weapon. Ukrainian authorities rejected that explanation and blamed the attack on Russian forces.
The strike formed part of one of the heaviest aerial attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks. Multiple areas of the city were hit, causing casualties, injuries, and damage to buildings and infrastructure. Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and assist affected residents.
The latest attack highlights the continuing toll of the war on both civilian lives and Ukraine's cultural heritage, as historic landmarks increasingly find themselves caught in the conflict.
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