Ukraine's president accused Russia of deliberately striking the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, a Unesco World Heritage site, during a night of aerial attacks across the country. The strikes killed at least 11 people, according to officials. Moscow had previously denied targeting the landmark.
Unesco formally condemned the attack, reporting significant damage to the Dormition Cathedral and adjacent historic structures, including the Ivan Kushnik Tower. The organization described the monastery as “one of Ukraine’s most significant spiritual and cultural landmarks” and emphasized that such attacks violate international law.
The assault came as G7 leaders prepared to meet in Évian-les-Bains, France, to discuss Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. French President Macron framed the summit agenda around expectations that US President Trump would attend the entire meeting, though his participation remained uncertain.
The damage to the Lavra underscores the broader toll on Ukraine's cultural heritage, with Unesco warning that strikes on protected sites deprive communities of spaces essential for recovery. The timing of the attack—on the eve of the G7 summit—appeared calculated to pressure Western allies.
Ukrainian officials have called for additional air defense systems and tougher sanctions against Russia. The G7 is expected to reaffirm support for Kyiv, though divisions over the conflict's trajectory persist among member nations.