Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv – June 15
In the early hours of June 15, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv, igniting the roof of the Dormition Cathedral within the historic Pechersk Lavra complex. The assault also struck residential buildings across multiple districts of the capital, including Pechersk, Obolon, and Solomianka.
Consequences of the Bombardment
In the Pechersk district, a five-story apartment building was hit, while in Obolon, a residential structure suffered damage between its third and fourth floors. A nine-story residential building in the Solomianka district was also targeted. Emergency medical teams were dispatched to both the Podil and Pechersk districts in response to the attacks. Additionally, a warehouse fire broke out in a five-story building in the Obolon area.
Metropolitan Epiphanius condemned the attack, calling it yet another Russian crime against humanity, history, and Christianity.
He urged the international community to mount a decisive response to the Kremlin leadership, asking: “What more must the Kremlin’s antichrist do for the world to realize that resolute action is needed to end Russian terror against Ukraine and the very principles of peace?” The Metropolitan also called for prayers to save the sacred site from destruction, appealing to the Most Holy Theotokos with the plea: “Most Holy Mother of God, stop Herod!”
This strike underscores Russia’s ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine, which continues to inflict severe harm on civilians and the nation’s cultural heritage. The Dormition Cathedral, a key religious and historical landmark at Pechersk Lavra, now faces an existential threat, sparking deep concern among believers and cultural figures. Metropolitan Epiphanius’s remarks capture Ukrainian society’s profound anxiety over the safety of its sanctuaries and the urgent need for international solidarity in countering aggression.
The assault on Kyiv not only targeted significant religious sites but also endangered the safety of children, as evidenced by a recent incident where unexploded ordnance landed in a kindergarten during a nighttime attack. This alarming event highlights the indiscriminate nature of the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilian life. For more details on this troubling situation, see our report on the unexploded ordnance in a Kyiv kindergarten.