Russian attack damages UNESCO-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, inflicting first wartime damage since WWII

The grounds of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Preserve, one of Eastern Europe’s most significant Orthodox Christian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage site, were damaged during a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on Jan. 24-25, marking the first time the religious landmark has been directly affected by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Preserve Director General Maksym Ostapenko told Interfax-Ukraine that damage was recorded at the entrance to the Far Caves complex and at the Church of the Annunciation, with a blast wave blowing out parts of windows and doors and damaging sections of plasterwork.

“For the first time since World War II, a site of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra has been struck as a result of military action,” Ostapenko said. “On orders from Moscow, Shahed drones and missiles are now flying over Kyiv and are causing damage, including now to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.”

Ostapenko clarified that this was the first instance in which the lavra suffered damage from the explosion of an aerial target. Previously, only shrapnel damage had been recorded, with fragments of intercepted objects found on the grounds.

A report by Ukraine’s Air Force indicated that air defense systems shot down or suppressed 357 drones and 15 missiles over Ukrainian territory overnight on Jan. 24.