Ukraine condemns Russian strikes that hit Kyiv residential buildings and UNESCO-listed Lavra complex

Five strikes landed in the Shevchenkivskyi district in less than 30 minutes, according to officials, while residents were urged to take cover and many sheltered underground. Tkachenko accused Russia of deliberately targeting apartment blocks, saying: "This is their deliberate decision,". He also accused Russia of deliberately striking the heart of one of the largest Christian shrines, a reference to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where the roof of the Dormition Cathedral caught fire during the overnight attack.

Damage to the Lavra complex

Metropolitan Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, condemned the strike on the Lavra as a Russian crime "against humanity, against history, against Christianity". The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, is a sprawling complex of monasteries and churches, including some underground, that overlooks the right bank of the Dnipro River. Built from the 11th to the 19th century, it has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, and its caves span more than 600 metres (2,000 feet).

The Lavra is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, and the attack drew international attention to the damage inflicted on Ukrainian cultural heritage. Substantial damage and a serious fire were reported at the monastic complex, with images from the scene showing flames and smoke rising over the historic grounds.

Casualties in Kharkiv

In the eastern city of Kharkiv, the Russian assault killed five rescuers and wounded at least five other emergency workers. The five rescuers were killed by a second Russian strike while fighting a blaze caused by an earlier attack, underscoring the dangers faced by first responders in the ongoing war.

Ukraine framed the overnight barrage as part of a deliberate campaign against civilian and cultural targets. The Kyiv City Military Administration head claimed Russia is deliberately targeting civilian structures, an accusation that has become a recurring theme in Ukrainian statements about strikes on residential areas, energy infrastructure, and heritage sites.

Broader context of the war

Monday's attack was the latest in a series of large-scale aerial bombardments that have hit Ukrainian cities since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Officials said the combined use of ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones was intended to overwhelm air defences and cause maximum damage across multiple districts simultaneously.

The strikes prompted renewed calls from Ukrainian leaders for stronger international support, including more air defence systems to protect cities and civilians. Authorities in Kyiv said emergency services were working through the night to extinguish fires, rescue residents trapped in damaged buildings, and assess the full extent of the destruction at the Lavra and other hit sites.