Russian Strike Hits Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and Film Studio: Casualties and Damage Revealed.

Kyiv Under Attack: June 15, 2023

According to UATV: A massive Russian assault on Kyiv on June 15, 2023, left five people dead and 35 civilians wounded. The strikes targeted the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) and the National Film Studio named after Oleksandr Dovzhenko, where a large portion of the costume collection was destroyed. The Dormition Cathedral also suffered extensive damage, with nearly its entire roof burned away.

All districts of the capital were impacted, underscoring the attack's broad scope. At the film studio, approximately 100,000 costumes were lost. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, at least 700 religious sites and 135 museums and galleries across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed by missile and drone strikes, according to available data.

“A severe fire broke out, engulfing all the upper tiers and the vault of the church,” said Maksym Ostapenko, describing the aftermath of the fire at the Dormition Cathedral.

Andriy Sybiha also emphasized that “the Russians inflicted serious damage on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra; they bombarded the historic film studio named after Oleksandr Dovzhenko.”

Ukraine's Initiative to Protect Cultural Heritage

In response to these events, Ukraine has initiated procedures with UNESCO concerning the attacks on cultural sites, highlighting the severity of the destruction inflicted on key historical and cultural landmarks.

This assault further demonstrates the war's devastating toll on Ukraine's cultural heritage. Damage to religious and cultural sites jeopardizes the preservation of national identity and history. Ukraine's move to involve UNESCO in reviewing these attacks may help draw international attention to the situation and secure support for safeguarding the country's cultural legacy.