Worldwide backlash grows after Russia strikes Ukraine's Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Photo: Fire at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on June 15 (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Russia's strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on the night of June 15 sparked a strong reaction from world leaders.
RBC-Ukraine has compiled reactions from international leaders and organizations to this incident.
Another step toward heritage destruction
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset called the damage to the Lavra another escalation of destruction.
"The damage inflicted on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv is another escalation in the destruction. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Ukraine’s treasures and is a part of Europe’s shared cultural heritage," he writes.
Berset also adds that the Council of Europe continues its efforts to hold Russia accountable.
French President Emmanuel Macron calls the Lavra one of the holiest sites of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and condemned the Russian attack.
"Just like the war of aggression that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years, nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage," Macron states.
According to him, France is ready to cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities on the restoration of the site. Macron plans to raise this issue at the G7 summit in Evian.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas reports that in response to the Russian attack, the EU has already imposed additional sanctions today against the Russian military-industrial complex and the shadow fleet.
"These are war crimes, and Russia will have to answer for them," she writes.
Kallas notes that each new package of restrictions narrows Russia's room for maneuver.
UNESCO condemns the strike and provides details on the damage. The exterior and interior of the Dormition Cathedral were damaged, as were neighboring structures, elements of the Lavra’s fortification complex and the Ivan Kushnik Tower.
"UNESCO condemns attacks against cultural property, educational institutions, students, education personnel and media professionals protected under international law," the organization’s statement reads.
UNESCO stands ready to support the authorities in assessing the damage and determining priority measures.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen notes that G7 leaders are meeting in Evian today, and one of the agenda items will be increasing pressure on Russia.
"Europe wants peace. Nobody more than the Ukrainian people. Russia, on the other hand, showed again its sole interest in violence and destruction," she writes.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu states that "the Kremlin has shown again that nothing is sacred to it."
According to her, Moldova condemns attacks on civilians and religious sites and stands with Ukraine.
Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu called the Russian strike inhuman.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani states that Moscow does not want peace.
"Kyiv is also a religious capital, so Russia must also be careful not to desecrate the sentiments of all Christians and Orthodox Christians in Russia as well. The Kremlin is making serious mistakes, demonstrating that it is in difficulty," he says.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli strongly condemns the Russian attack on the Lavra, the embassy tells RBC-Ukraine.
"The protection of cultural heritage must remain an inviolable principle even in times of conflict. The destruction of a site inscribed on the World Heritage List is an affront to the heritage that belongs to all of humanity and is a crime against memory, the identity of peoples, and the universal values of the international community," he says.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni states during a press briefing that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable.
She says, in light of Russia’s brutal attacks, they cannot look the other way. Solidarity is fundamental.
According to her, Kyiv needs firm support when the attacks do not even spare millennia-old symbols of Christianity.
Meloni says that this, along with efforts toward peace, will be central themes at the G7 summit.
Russian strike on Kyiv
On the night of June 15, Russia launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv with drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
As a result of the Russian attack, damage was reported in 10 districts of Kyiv. 5 people were killed, and over 30 others were injured.
Russia struck Ukraine with over 680 drones and missiles, including Zircon missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hundreds of drones of various types. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed or intercepted 632 Russian drones and missiles.
The ballistic missiles were shot down thanks to a recently delivered Patriot system, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy notes during an inspection of the damaged Lavra.
Additionally, during the nighttime attack, Russia struck the Dovzhenko National Film Studio. The fire destroyed Ukraine’s largest and oldest costume collection, comprising approximately 100,000 costumes and 3 million items of clothing.
