Lavra Pecerska monastery, a symbol of Ukraine, in flames after a ballistic missile attack on Kiev
Ukraine was the target of a massive ballistic missile and drone attack by Russia last night, with a series of explosions ringing out in the capital Kiev. Airstrikes killed at least five people across the country, while the UNESCO World Heritage Lavra Pecerska monastery was engulfed in flames, The Guardian and Kyiv Independent reported.
Ballistic missiles over Kiev hit the Dormition Cathedral in the Pecerska Monastery complex, one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Ukraine.
Images posted on social media from the Pecerska Monastery showed huge flames rising towards its domes.
By striking the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the greatest holy sites of Christianity, Putin has forever put his name on the list of history's worst barbarians.
He should be damned for centuries. And he will lose this war.
From the Horde in the 13th century to the Nazis and… pic.twitter.com/yatMafK68E
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) June 15, 2026
“The roof of one of the holiest places in the Christian world – the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God in the Pecerska Monastery in Kiev – is burning,” wrote Metropolitan Epiphany, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, on X.
Yulia Svyrydenko, the prime minister, posted a photo of the burning monastery building.
“A brutal attack on our people and our heritage. This is the true face of Russia's Orthodox values,” Svyrydenko wrote on social media.
Right now, as Russians continue to strike #Kyiv with over a dozen of ballistic missiles, the Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv‑Pechersk Lavra — a UNESCO World Heritage site and priceless cultural landmark — has been struck and is burning.
A brutal assault on our people and our… pic.twitter.com/JfG2IjUWOD— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) June 14, 2026
The cathedral was originally built in the 11th century as part of the monastic complex. The full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
The balance sheet of last night's massive attack
According to Ukrainian officials, several blocks of Kiev were hit by the Russian attack. At least four people died and 23 others were injured in the capital, including a child and a pregnant woman.
The airstrike damaged power lines and left 140,000 Kyiv residents without electricity, Mayor Vitali Kliciko said on Telegram on Monday morning, adding that homes and cars also caught fire after being hit by drone debris.
Outside the capital, in the city of Harkvo, at least five people were killed.
Drones continued to attack Kiev on Monday morning from various directions, the Air Force of Ukraine said on Telegram.
“There are still new launches targeting the capital,” said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, urging the population to stay in shelters.
The attacks across Ukraine came after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow would target Ukraine with “systemic” strikes.
