The Kiev Pechersk Lavra was already destroyed by earthquakes, fires and the army of Batu Khan. But this time the monastery caught fire due to Russian shelling. Are the consequences very serious? And what do they say about this in Russia?

On June 15, after a large-scale Russian attack in Kyiv, the roof of the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra caught fire. In January 2026, a unique temple complex with a centuries-old history had already suffered from the actions of the Russian army - this was the first damage to the Lavra since World War II. Over its long history, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt more than once, and yet this event remains exceptional - UNESCO, as well as European politicians, have already responded to it. Architectural journalist Asya Zolnikova tells the details.