Russian strike on UNESCO heritage: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra hit for first time since World War II
Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra damaged as a result of the Russian attack (Getty Images)
During the night of January 24, 2026, a massive Russian missile-and-drone attack on Kyiv damaged sites of the National Preserve Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
The preserve’s Director General, Maksym Ostapenko, told the agency that this was the first direct hit on a Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra site since World War II as a result of the explosion of an aerial target.
"For the first time since World War II, a Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra site has been hit as a result of military action. Each time, Moscow stands behind it," he said.
In particular, Building No. 66 — the entrance to the Far Caves complex — and Building No. 67, the Annozachatiivska (Annunciation) Church, were damaged. The blast wave shattered some windows and doors, and plaster finishes were damaged in many areas. At the same time, the caves themselves were not affected.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was damaged as a result of the Russian attack (photo: Interfax-Ukraine)
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was damaged as a result of the Russian attack (photo: Interfax-Ukraine)
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was damaged as a result of the Russian attack (photo: Interfax-Ukraine)
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was damaged as a result of the Russian attack (photo: Interfax-Ukraine)
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was damaged as a result of the Russian attack (photo: Interfax-Ukraine)
Ostapenko clarified that due to the power outage, the seismic sensor did not activate, making it currently impossible to accurately determine the impact of the explosion on the preserve’s sites. Previously, only damage from shrapnel or debris from downed aerial targets had been recorded.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna said that specialists from the Preserve and the National Police were working at the site, and a detailed technical inspection is scheduled for today.
"Today we will conduct a detailed technical inspection and immediately begin restoration and conservation work," she wrote on Facebook.
Berezhna stressed that the Ministry of Culture is coordinating actions with relevant services to preserve and protect cultural heritage, and that all damage is being carefully documented for subsequent restoration work.
"This year, the Lavra marks its 975th anniversary. And it is precisely now that Russian missiles are striking it. The world must know: this is a war not only against Ukraine. It is a war against global culture," she emphasized.
Russian nighttime attack on Kyiv on January 24
During the night of January 24, Kyiv came under a combined missile-and-drone attack by Russia.
At around 01:00 am Kyiv time, an air raid alert was declared in the capital due to the threat of strike drones. Almost immediately afterward, explosions were heard in the city. Russian forces later launched ballistic missiles toward Kyiv.
As a result of the attack, there were casualties, and at least one person was killed.
In the Desnianskyi district, debris fell on a non-residential building.
In the Dniprovskyi district, drone debris caused a fire on the territory of a garage cooperative, and a fuel tanker also caught fire in a parking area. The blast wave shattered windows in a multi-storey residential building.
In the Darnytskyi district, drone debris fell near a private medical facility, damaging windows.
In the Holosiivskyi district, falling debris on non-residential property led to a fire, while at another address, windows in a private house were damaged.
In the Solomianskyi district, debris damaged a six-storey office building.
As a result of the attack, Kyiv experienced disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies.
