Speaker: Images of fire on roof of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra painful for all those who respect faith, culture, memory, and European heritage

Speaker Igor Grosu condemned the attack launched by Russia on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of which the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was also affected, one of the most important Orthodox religious sites and a monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.


“I strongly condemn the barbaric attack launched by Russia on Kyiv last night. Among the targets hit is the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the most important holy places and a monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List,” Grosu said.


The official emphasized that the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra holds deep significance for many citizens of the Republic of Moldova, being a symbol of Christianity in Ukraine and a place known and cherished by entire generations.


“For many citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra represents a symbol of Christianity in Ukraine, a place known, visited, and cherished by entire generations. The images of the fire on the roof of the cathedral are painful for all those who respect faith, culture, memory, and European heritage. The attacks on homes, schools, cultural institutions, and places of worship show once again that this war is being waged not only against Ukraine, but also against its identity and heritage,” he noted.


Igor Grosu reiterated the solidarity of the Republic of Moldova with the Ukrainian people and with all those affected by the war.


“The Republic of Moldova stands with the Ukrainian people and with all those who defend the values of European civilization in the face of aggression and barbarism. Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims and to all those affected by this new inhuman attack,” Grosu added.


On the night of June 15, 2026, Russia launched a new wave of attacks on several regions of Ukraine, the most affected being Kyiv and Kharkiv. The preliminary toll indicates at least nine people killed and dozens injured, including five rescuers who died during their interventions.

In Kyiv, one of the airstrikes caused a fire at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a monastic complex included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The blaze damaged the roof of the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the main place of worship in the complex.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the most important religious symbols of Ukraine and a UNESCO site, has previously been affected by Russian attacks in the context of the war launched by the Russian Federation. UNESCO had earlier warned that Ukraine’s cultural heritage is exposed to major risk.