Russian strike damages Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and its ancient caves

The national broadcaster cited Maksym Ostapenko, director of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Preserve, who gave an interview at the Culture in Focus program.

"The main impact hit the gallery near the Far Caves," he said.

"Several doors were damaged and multiple window frames were blown out."

After investigators completed their initial inspection, Lavra specialists examined the Far Caves, which house the relics of the Lavra’s saints, as well as the Varangian Caves, the oldest part of the Far Caves complex.

“We examined the Varangian Caves because the Far Caves are the place where the relics of Lavra saints rest, and nearby is one of the oldest parts of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra — older than the Lavra itself — more than 1,000 years old," Ostapenko clarified.

"These are the Varangian Caves, which have been preserved in an almost authentic state from the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries. Our specialists inspected sections of the Varangian Caves. Thank God, these underground galleries were not damaged. But we clearly see the risks posed by these massive attacks.”

At the same time, serious damage was recorded to the Lavra’s supporting structural elements, including longitudinal cracks that now require additional technical assessment.

Ostapenko also noted that the lack of heating and electricity creates additional risks for unique heritage elements that must be kept under specific temperature and humidity conditions.

Earlier, the head of the Lavra said that the damage caused by the Jan. 24 Russian strike marked the first time since World War II that the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra has been hit as a result of military action.

“For the first time since World War II, a Kyiv Pechersk Lavra site has been damaged by hostilities," he said.

"Each time, Moscow stands behind this—just as it did in 1918, just as it did in 1941, when the Dormition Cathedral was blown up on orders from Moscow. And now, once again, drones and missiles are flying toward Kyiv on orders from Moscow, damaging the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.”

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, and since 2023 has been listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger. It is also included in the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.

Russia’s Jan. 24 attack on Kyiv

On the night of Jan. 24, Russia launched 375 drones and 21 missiles at Ukraine, including two Zircon hypersonic missiles, nine Kh-22 missiles, six Iskander missiles, and one Kh-59 missile. The main target was Kyiv and the Kyiv Oblast.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Col. Yurii Ihnat reported that Russia used Kh-22/Kh-32 anti-ship missiles in the strike on Kyiv — an unprecedented development.

In Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, the top floor of a Roshen confectionery factory was destroyed. One woman was killed and two others were injured.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said the most difficult situation remains in Troieshchyna, where residents of about 600 buildings were left without all basic utilities.