Russian attack damages UNESCO-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and Book Arsenal venue

A Russian overnight attack on Kyiv on June 15 damaged the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site under enhanced international protection, and the nearby Mystetskyi Arsenal, one of Ukraine’s major cultural venues and the home of the International Book Arsenal Festival. The attack came just two weeks after the 14th Book Arsenal had taken place at Mystetskyi Arsenal. Russia also struck the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studios.

On the night of June 15, a Russian Shahed-type UAV hit the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, striking St Stephen’s side chapel. According to Ukraine’s Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna, employees of the Lavra and emergency workers arrived at the site immediately, and the most valuable exhibits were evacuated, including icons, antimensions and liturgical objects. No casualties were reported at the Lavra.

The National Kyiv Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ukraine’s most important spiritual and cultural landmarks. The attack took place during an anniversary year: 975 years since the first mention of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and 100 years since the establishment of the Preserve. The Lavra is also included in the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection under the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention. 

The Lavra complex is also closely connected to Ukraine’s book culture. The Museum of Book and Printing of Ukraine is located at Lavrska Street, 9, in the historic Lavra area. The Ukrainian Book Institute also lists its office address in the Lavra area.

Mystetskyi Arsenal, located near the Lavra, was also damaged. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported a fire in the building of the National Cultural, Art and Museum Complex “Mystetskyi Arsenal”, covering around 1,000 square metres. Mystetskyi Arsenal is the venue of the International Book Arsenal Festival, one of Ukraine’s major literary and cultural events. The 14th Book Arsenal had just taken place there from May 28 to 31, bringing together Ukraine’s literary, publishing and cultural communities.

Russia also attacked the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studios in Kyiv. According to Berezhna, the strike caused a fire and damaged the costume workshop. She said Ukraine’s largest and oldest costume collection had been destroyed, with around 100,000 costumes and three million items of clothing stored at the studio. Other buildings of the film studio were also damaged. The Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studios was founded in 1927 and is one of Ukraine’s best-known film institutions. Around 1,000 films have been produced there, including works by Oleksandr Dovzhenko. 

Photos: Tetiana Berezhna

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian cultural heritage and cultural infrastructure sites have repeatedly been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture, as of May 2026, Russian aggression had damaged or destroyed 1,783 cultural heritage sites and 2,540 cultural infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.

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