11 Dead as Russian Strike Burns Historic Kyiv Cathedral

Mon Jun 15 2026 20:07:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A deadly Russian strike on Kyiv left 11 people dead, set the 11th‑Century Dormition Cathedral ablaze, and sparked global condemnation.

Russian missiles and drones slammed into Kyiv and Kharkiv overnight, killing 11 people and setting the historic Dormition Cathedral ablaze. Four civilians died in the capital while five rescue workers perished in Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as one of Russia’s biggest crimes against Christian culture, and the EU and France called it a war crime. Russia denied hitting the cathedral, claiming a Patriot missile misfired, yet the site’s damage threw the world’s attention to Ukraine’s cultural heritage. The attack comes ahead of a G7 leaders’ meeting in France, where Ukraine’s war‑related demands are set to surface.

11 Dead as Russian Strike Burns Historic Kyiv Cathedral

On Sunday night, a massive wave of Russian missiles and drones hit Ukraine, taking the lives of 11 people and setting the 11th‑Century Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv ablaze. The strike also hit residential buildings in the capital, leaving at least 23 civilians injured.

Four civilians were killed in Kyiv while five Ukrainian firefighters died trying to extinguish flames in the nearby city of Kharkiv. Officials said the cathedral suffered a huge hole in its side and flames still crackle from its damaged roof.

Zelensky called the attack “one of the biggest Russian crimes against Christian culture today.” He explained that Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones during the overnight assault. The cathedral is part of the UNESCO‑listed Kyiv‑Pechersk Lavra complex.

International leaders condemned the strike. French President Emmanuel Macron said “nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage.” The EU’s foreign‑policy chief, Kaja Kallas, labeled it a war crime.

Russia denies the strike. The country says a US‑made Patriot missile misfired and that the hit was an accidental missile that fell onto the cathedral, but no proof has been presented. Russian forces claim the attack targeted military sites.

The world watches as the G7 leaders convene in France this week, with the Ukraine war on the agenda. Zelensky urges the summit to respond decisively—more pressure on Russia and stronger air‑defence aid for Ukraine.