2026-03-24 16:50, updated 2026-03-24 17:14
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2026-03-24 16:50
update
2026-03-24 17:14
In the center of Lviv, the 17th-century church of St. Peter suffered damage as a result of the Russian attack. Andrew inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List; at least two people were seriously injured, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Tuesday.
“Russia is attacking a crowded city center in broad daylight. Just a few minutes ago, Russian-Iranian drones struck Lviv, seriously injuring two people. One of the targets was the 17th-century Church of St. Andrew, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” Svyrydenko wrote on the X platform.
Russia is attacking a crowded city center in broad daylight. Just minutes ago, Russian-Iranian drones struck the city of Lviv, seriously injuring two people.
One of the targets was the 17th-century St. Andrew's Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Only strength,… pic.twitter.com/YflT60ZEua
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) March 24, 2026
The Prime Minister stated that Russia can only be stopped by “force, uncompromising sanctions and decisive actions.”
Earlier, the head of the Lviv regional administration, Maksym Kozycki, informed in the Telegram messenger that an explosion had occurred in the center of Lviv. “According to preliminary information, UNESCO heritage has been damaged,” he added. “At least two people have been seriously injured. There is a high risk of drone attack again! Please stay in shelters!” – he wrote.
The mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadowy, provided information about damage to a residential building in the city center. According to Sadowy, objects in three districts of the city were hit.
Russia fired over 400 drones towards Ukraine on Tuesday in a massive attack carried out during the day, air force spokesman Yuri Ihnat told Reuters.
The Russian attack has been ongoing in most of Ukraine since early morning. Earlier, Russian troops attacked Ukraine on the night from Monday to Tuesday, using 34 missiles and 392 drones; At least five people were killed and over 20 injured in the Kharkiv, Poltava, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts.
Consul of the Republic of Poland in Lviv: Russian drones hit places important for Poland
The Russian drones that attacked Lviv on Tuesday hit places that are important for Poland: near the Bernardine monastery and the Historical Archives, where some of the most valuable documents for Poland are kept – Marek Radziwon, consul general of the Republic of Poland in Lviv, told PAP.
One of the drones “fell down right next to Soborny Square, literally several dozen meters from the Bernardine church and the Bernardine monastery,” the diplomat said in a telephone conversation.
He noted that the nearby Historical Archive of the City of Lviv has gathered the most valuable manuscript and book collections. – This is one of the three most important places in Lviv where Polish archival heritage is kept – he said.
The consul assured that the employees of his facility are safe. – We are all in a well-secured shelter – he said.
Radziwon emphasized that the Russian drone attack on Lviv was unusual. – It did not take place at night, as we are already used to, but during the day – he noted.
The diplomat specified that the Polonika Institute is carrying out renovation works a few dozen meters from the site of the attack. – For Lviv, not only for us, this is historically one of the most important places. Literally in the very center – he noted.
Operational Command: Polish and allied aviation in the air in connection with airstrikes in Ukraine
Due to the activity of Russian drones in the western part of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation began an operation in Polish airspace; There are fighter jets and a helicopter in the air, and ground systems are on high alert, the Armed Forces Operational Command announced on Tuesday afternoon.
COD made the announcement on social media on Tuesday afternoon; Earlier, there were reports of massive Russian drone strikes in Ukraine and attacks, among others. in the center of Lviv.
“Due to the activity of Russian Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles in the western part of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has started operating in our airspace,” the command said. As indicated, the means at DORSZ's disposal were activated – fighters and a helicopter were in the air, and ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems were put on highest alert.
“These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing and protecting the airspace, in particular in areas adjacent to threatened areas. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces monitors the current situation, and the subordinate forces and resources remain ready for immediate response,” the Command assures in a statement.
Previously, the command reported that the air force was picked up early on Tuesday morning, in the face of Russia's night air raids on Ukraine. In recent months, Polish and allied combat aircraft have been regularly taken into flight in connection with repeated Russian mass airstrikes in Ukraine. The task of pilots in this type of missions is to patrol Polish airspace and make sure that drones do not pose a threat to Poland.
Jarosław Junko. Iryna Hirnyk from Kiev
