MOSCOW, June 15 (STL.News) – The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday rejected accusations from Ukraine and Western nations that Moscow forces struck a historic monastery in the Ukrainian capital during an overnight attack. Officials in Moscow characterized the reports as a crude fake following a massive military operation.
Russian Response to Allegations
The Russian Defence Ministry stated earlier on Monday that it did not target the Pechersk Lavra monastery in KYIV. The ministry described the operation as an attack on military factories located within the region. Russian officials claimed that a U.S.-made Patriot air defence missile was responsible for the damage sustained by the religious site.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine and Western powers of creating another falsification. She maintained that the Defence Ministry accurately detailed the events that occurred during the military operation. Zakharova also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders for rushing to condemn Moscow. She alleged that these politicians remained silent regarding previous strikes on a student dormitory and a museum in Crimea that resulted in the destruction of significant cultural art.
Historical Significance of the Site
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery represents a symbol of Ukrainian spiritual and cultural history. Its golden domes have stood over the capital for nearly a millennium. The UNESCO World Heritage site serves as a prominent location for Orthodox Christianity in eastern Europe. The complex was founded by monks near the Dnipro river in 1051.
The site is known for its sprawling nature, covering more than 20 hectares. It houses over 100 buildings, including several churches, chapels, and seminary structures. The monastery name translates to the monastery of the caves. Six ancient underground churches are located within the labyrinthine cave complex, which extends over 600 metres.
Monks have inhabited the area for centuries, with the caves dug into the Dnipro hills at depths between 5 and 15 metres. The site contains the remains of monks, including St. Anthony, who was the first to inhabit the caves. The monastery also functioned as a centre for education, icon painting, and medical study throughout the history of Kyivan Rus.
Damage to the Dormition Cathedral
Ukrainian authorities reported that the Dormition Cathedral, the main building of the monastery complex, was set ablaze during the attack on Monday. This cathedral dates back to the 11th century and served as a necropolis for medieval princes of Kyiv. The structure had previously sustained significant damage during World War Two.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded to the destruction of the cathedral following the attack.
“This strike on the Lavra is an attack on the Christian community and on the cultural heritage of humanity,” Zelenskiy said.
He indicated that the government intends to fully restore the site. Russia continues to maintain that its forces did not strike the cathedral, reiterating its stance that the damage resulted from a defensive missile system. The incident occurred shortly before a scheduled G7 meeting in France, drawing immediate international attention to the status of the protected site. The monastery remains a short distance from the primary city centre of the capital and continues to host both worshippers and tourists.
