A 1,000-year-old monastery symbolizing Ukraine's spiritual and cultural heritage suffered severe damage in the heaviest Russian aerial assault on Kyiv in two weeks, authorities reported on Monday. The overnight strikes also killed 10 people across the nation.
Monastery Attack Condemned
France's foreign minister compared the attack on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site established in 1051, to bombing Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The strike set the Dormition Cathedral ablaze, a church with origins in the 11th century.
Zelenskiy's Response
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on social media: "A Russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra set the Dormition Cathedral on fire. This is one of Russia's most serious crimes against Christian culture to date." Visiting the damaged site, he added, "This is an attack on our history. Of course everything will be restored."
Attack Details
The assault marked the worst Russian attack on Ukraine since early June, when drones and missiles killed over 20 people and wounded more than 100. Kyiv residents sought shelter underground as flames rose above the religious compound.
Conflicting Claims
Russia denied striking the monastery, alleging damage from a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile. However, Zelenskiy asserted during his visit that a Russian drone caused the destruction. A source provided Reuters with a photo of what he claimed were Russian drone debris near the damaged cathedral; Reuters could not immediately confirm its authenticity.
The attack occurred after Zelenskiy discussed efforts to end the over four-year conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of a G7 meeting in France this week.
