Night Strike on Kyiv: Hit on the Lavra and Loss of a Unique Collection of Costumes

Attack on Kyiv on June 15, 2026

According to Главком: On the night of June 15, 2026, the capital of Ukraine was subjected to a massive combined attack, causing serious destruction. Particularly affected was a commercial facility in Shulyavka, where the store of entrepreneur Kateryna Kolmykova was completely destroyed. She had previously moved to Kyiv from occupied Mariupol, and this business was her sole source of income.

The strike also impacted the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A direct hit provoked a large-scale fire: the roof of the Assumption Cathedral caught fire. However, according to preliminary data, the shrines and religious items managed to be evacuated. In the Pechersk district, a hit was recorded on a five-story residential building, in the Obolon district - damage between the third and fourth floors, and in the Solomyansk district, an nine-story building was affected.

Consequences of the Attack

Moreover, the Russian strike caused a fire at the Alexander Dovzhenko National Film Studio. The fire destroyed the largest and oldest collection of costumes in Ukraine - about one hundred thousand outfits and three million units of clothing. Other buildings and facilities of the studio were also damaged.

Commenting on the situation, Kateryna Kolmykova noted: “After every shelling, I tell you: 'Today we were lucky.' But today we were not lucky. Our store is burning, this is our only income, everything we have. After Mariupol, we started from scratch.”

This attack on the capital caused colossal damage, its consequences are felt in many areas of city life. The assault again demonstrates the vulnerability of civil infrastructure in the context of a protracted conflict.

The shelling became yet another round of escalation in Ukraine, highlighting how military actions destroy not only buildings but also cultural heritage, the economy, and the fates of people. The story of Kateryna Kolmykova is just one of many personal tragedies experienced by the residents of the country.

The recent attack on Kyiv not only inflicted severe damage on the city's infrastructure but also raised concerns about the protection of cultural heritage. For a deeper understanding of the impact on significant sites like the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Dovzhenko Film Studio, it's essential to explore how these events reflect the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine amidst the conflict.