China reacts to Russian strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

During a briefing, journalists asked the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, to comment on the strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine's most important Christian holy sites.

In response, Lin Jian said that China's position on Russia's war against Ukraine remains unchanged.

"On the issue of the Ukraine crisis (the term officially used by China to refer to Russia's war against Ukraine - ed.), China's position has been and remains consistent and clear," he said.

According to the diplomat, Beijing continues to advocate a political settlement of the war.

"China has always supported and continues to support peaceful dialogue and negotiations as the only viable way to end the crisis, and calls on all parties to make every effort to create conditions for a political settlement of the conflict," Jian said.

What is known about the strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine overnight on June 15. Kyiv was the main target, and one of the strikes hit the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in the heart of the capital.

The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epiphanius, reacted emotionally to the attack, condemning the strike on one of the country's most important Christian shrines.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia deliberately targeted the part of Kyiv where the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Mystetskyi Arsenal cultural complex are located.

According to him, Russia used Geran-2 attack drones in the attack.

Fragments of the drone's fuselage and engine were found at the impact site. The drone struck the St. Stephen's Chapel of the Dormition Cathedral on the territory of the Lavra.