Today at 20:39
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and assured that all sites damaged by the Russian strike would be restored, UATV English reports.
“We will do everything. First there will be assessments. The Minister of Culture is here. Appropriate procedures and expert evaluations will be carried out, and we will restore everything,” Zelenskyy told journalists.
“I am grateful to all emergency services working at the strike sites and to everyone who is helping. It has been confirmed that two Russian drones deliberately targeted the part of the city where the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Mystetskyi Arsenal are located,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to the President, 35 people have been confirmed injured in Kyiv. Across Ukraine, 53 people were wounded and 11 killed as a result of the massive Russian attack.
“My condolences to all the families and loved ones of those who were killed.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine remains in constant contact with its international partners regarding the consequences of the attack and the necessary response.
“It is important that world leaders, public figures, and international organizations are not remaining silent. I have instructed Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and our entire diplomatic team to intensify all contacts with partners today so that international meetings this week and next produce real results in strengthening our protection and increasing global pressure on Russia for this war.”
He emphasized that a just response to the Russian strike is needed and thanked all those who continue to stand with Ukraine.
The President visited the damaged monastery complex together with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, and Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna.
According to Zelenskyy, the Cabinet of Ministers will allocate funds from the government’s Reserve Fund to address the damage inflicted on the Dormition Cathedral.
“The Prime Minister will now convene a government meeting to allocate emergency funding from the Reserve Fund. Thank God we have it, and parliament recently approved the necessary budget amendments. These rapid funds will help preserve everything that can still be preserved. Minister Klymenko will oversee the process. The main priority is to safeguard what remains, and then restoration work will begin,” the President said.
Zelenskyy also called on the international community not to remain silent in response to the attack.
“It is important that the world does not remain silent in the face of this latest act of Russian barbarism. Their strike on the Lavra was a strike against the Christian community and against humanity’s cultural heritage. There can be no justification for this or any similar Russian attack,” he wrote on X.
The President stressed that broader international cooperation is needed to stop Russia’s war and strengthen protection for civilians against Russian aggression.
The attack caused a fire on the roof of the Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex.
The death toll from Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv on June 15 has risen to five, while 35 people were injured.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 50 missiles and 582 drones launched by Russian forces from the evening of June 14, with Kyiv remaining the primary target of the attack.
