Kyiv Lavra Dormition Cathedral catches fire following Russian attack
A fire broke out at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s principal Orthodox shrines, during a massive overnight attack on Kyiv on June 15.
During the night of June 15, 2026, the Russian army launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv, causing structures on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to catch fire. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko was the first to report a fire on the roof of the Dormition Cathedral at around 2 a.m.
The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, stated that authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage, while response measures are being carried out in accordance with safety protocols.
According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the fire engulfed the roof of the Dormition Cathedral and covered an area of approximately 800 square meters. A significant number of structural elements in the upper part of the building were damaged.
The monastery stated that there were no casualties. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of rescue workers and firefighting units, threats to human life were minimized. Valuable items and relics were urgently evacuated from the cathedral.
Relevant services continue to deal with the aftermath of the attack and assess the damage. A full picture of the destruction inflicted on the shrine will become known at a later stage.
As the UOJ reported, a strike on a UOC church in Volniansk killed the sister of the parish rector.
