Kyiv’s Assumption Cathedral, set afire by Russian strikes, June 15, 2026

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UPDATE 1723 GMT:

A sign of defiance, as the bells of the damaged Pechersk Lavra monastery ring despite Russian attacks on Kyiv:

But Ukraine’s cultural sector is reeling from the destruction. More than a thousand exhibits in the Kharkiv Art Museum were damaged.

Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted:

Russia attempted to destroy the Lavra for a second time – just as it did in 1941. Thankfully, we will not have to rebuild this Ukrainian shrine from its foundations.

The Government will secure funding for its restoration.

And Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a message to the Kremlin:

UPDATE 1025 GMT:

Five emergency responders were killed and at least five wounded in a Russian “double tap” strike on Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv.

The Russians struck as the responders were battling a fire caused by an earlier attack.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least five civilians have been murdered and 35 injured by overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv that damaged historic and religious sites.

The Russians struck more than 50 locations, including the Assumption Cathedral, Pechersk Lavra monastery, the Mystetskyi Arsenal gallery and museum, the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, and Ukraine’s top anti-corruption court as well as residential buildings.

The Pechersk Lavra is a labyrinthine cave complex that holds some of Ukraine’s most revered shrines and relics. The strike was the second during Russia’s full-scale invasion and the third since World War II. The Assumption Cathedral was built in the 11th century as part of the monastery complex.

“The roof of one of the holiest places in the Christian world — the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra — is burning,” posted Metropolitan Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. “We ask for prayers for the salvation of the shrine from destruction. Another Russian crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity.”

Amid the attack, an emergency evacuation of ancient icons and relics was carried out. It is not clear if any religious artifacts were damaged in the attack.

The Ukraine Air Force said Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 attack drones across the country overnight. Air defenses downed 50 missiles and 582 drones, but 20 ballistic missiles and 27 drones struck 42 locations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky posted:

It is important that the world does not remain silent in response to this latest act of Russian barbarism. This strike on the Lavra is an attack on the Christian community and on the cultural heritage of humanity.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv around 1 a.m., with subsequent rounds at around 1:30 a.m. and 3:40 a.m.

Confirming the destruction of residential buildings, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, said, “The Russians are the barbarians of the 21st century. We will all remember this.”

The attack also damaged warehouses, commercial buildings, a market, homes, and transmission lines, cutting power to at least 140,000 customers.