Tower of St. John the Hut-Dweller damaged in Russian attack on Lavra

Aftermath of the missile strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: UNIAN

Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv on the night of June 15, 2026, caused fires at structures on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra territory. According to Maksym Ostapenko, director general of the reserve, the enemy carried out two targeted strikes on the monastery grounds. The second Geran-2 kamikaze drone hit the 300-year-old stone tower on Mazepa Street and also damaged the neighboring Mystetskyi Arsenal building.

The Tower of St. John the Hut-Dweller is a unique fortification structure that forms part of the architectural ensemble of the shrine and is protected by UNESCO. The explosion destroyed part of the ancient stonework, and a fire broke out at the impact site.

The tower was built in 1698 at the expense of Hetman Ivan Mazepa as a watchtower together with the monastery’s stone walls. It was named in honor of St. John the Hut-Dweller, the hetman’s heavenly patron. In 2024, specialists completed a full restoration of the roof of this architectural monument.

As the UOJ reported, St. Nicholas Church in Dnipro was damaged in an overnight Russian shelling.

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