Russian strikes damage centuries-old Dormition Cathedral in Ukraine

On 15 June 2026, Russian strikes hit Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro overnight, damaging the centuries-old Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO-listed site, which was set on fire. Death tolls cited ranged from nine to 11, with nearly three dozen injured. In Kharkiv, five rescuers were killed in a double-tap strike, and Kyiv Post counted 681 aerial weapons used in total. A Nova Poshta terminal in Kyiv was also destroyed.

Russia denied hitting the monastery and said a US-made Patriot air defence missile struck it, while Kyiv Post noted Shahed drone debris at the site. Russia's defence ministry said the overnight strike targeted Ukrainian military-industrial sites. UN News described the attack as one that killed civilians and damaged a cultural landmark.