Ukraine’s historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery set on fire following major Russian attack
Kyiv (CNN) — A prominent Ukrainian monastery complex in the heart of Kyiv was set on fire following a massive Russian attack overnight into Monday that killed at least four people and wounded more than a dozen in the capital, according to local authorities.
Images showed flames billowing from the UNESCO-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which traces its roots back almost 1,000 years, and firefighters beneath the towers and domes of its Dormition Cathedral battling to control the blaze.
A CNN journalist reported hearing several explosions during the overnight attack, during which Russia launched 611 long-range strike UAVs and 70 missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
By daybreak, firefighters were still working to douse the flames at the complex. Ukraine’s emergency services said a fire had affected 800 square meters of the roof of the Dormition Cathedral, and released images that showed damage to the building.
The Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine asked for “prayers for the salvation of the shrine from destruction,” in a statement.
“Another Russian crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity.”
A fire also broke out in the building of the National Cultural, Art and Museum Complex, covering an area of 1,000 square meters, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.
At least four people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in the attack on the city, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration.
The attack left about 140,000 households in the northern part of Kyiv without electricity, according to mayor Vitaliy Klitschko.
In a statement on Monday Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had carried out strikes on “targets within the defence-industrial complex in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk.”
‘Masterpiece of Ukrainian art’
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2023, it was added to the World Heritage in Danger list “due to the threat of destruction the Russian offensive poses.”
Founded in the 11th century and comprising a complex network of surface and underground churches, it is a major spiritual and cultural center for many Ukrainians and an important pilgrimage site. In its listing, UNESCO describes the complex as a “masterpiece of Ukrainian art.”
Over centuries, relics of saints have been buried in the caves, according to UNESCO.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, at least five people have been killed following Russian bombardment in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Another five were wounded, he said.
The attack comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to US President Donald Trump, where the two discussed efforts to bring an end to the war, which Moscow started more than four years ago. Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, according to the Kremlin.
“All Ukrainians have one wish for President Trump: that we may finally achieve peace, and achieve this success together with the US and all our partners,” Zelensky wrote on X.
In another post early on Monday, Zelensky slammed the attack that resulted in the fire at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra as “one of Russia’s most serious crimes against Christian culture to date.”
Svitlana Vlasova contributed reporting.
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