The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in central Kyiv was set on fire during a major Russian barrage on Monday morning. Kyiv Post correspondents heard explosions across Kyiv after midnight, and online footage circulated showing flames engulfing the capital’s historic Orthodox monastery.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the attack caused a fire at the Lavra at 1:48 a.m. “Fire on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Fire on the roof of the Assumption Cathedral,” Klitschko wrote. Dating back to the 11th century, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (or “cave monastery”) is considered one of the most sacred religious sites in Ukraine. The UNESCO-recognized site is owned by the Ukrainian government as a national reserve, and much of it has long been open to the public. Fire on the rooftop within the Kyiv Perchersk Lavra compound in the early hours of June 15, 2026, during a Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital. (Photo via social media) Read more about the Lavra in this Kyiv Post report. Local monitoring channels said the attack is ongoing as of 4 a.m., which includes dozens of drones and at least 15 ballistic missiles. Klitschko said 19 have been injured as of 4:09 a.m. during the aerial barrage, including a child and a pregnant woman, while damages were recorded at the capital’s Obolonskyi, Podilskyi, Pecherskyi, and Solomyansky districts.
