The SBU reported that a Russian drone struck the Assumption Cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra sustained damage during a massive Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of June 15. According to Ukrainian officials, a Russian Shahed-type strike drone, also known as the “Geran-2,” struck the Assumption Cathedral. Investigators have classified the attack as a war crime.

As reported by “Pryamyy” citing Ukrainian Air Force representative Yuriy Ignat and the SBU press service, it has been officially confirmed that the damage to the Assumption Cathedral was caused by a Russian kamikaze drone, not by Ukrainian air defense operations.

Yuriy Ignat stated that the Russian side began spreading disinformation even before the collection of evidence was completed. According to him, Moscow claimed that the fire in the cathedral was caused by a strike from a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. However, Ukrainian experts determined that it was indeed a “Shahed” drone that struck the cathedral.

The SBU reported that the conclusions were based on an analysis of drone debris found at the impact site. The investigation established that the attack on the monastery complex occurred around 1:50 a.m. on June 15 during a massive shelling of the capital.

During an inspection of the scene, Security Service of Ukraine officers found fragments of the fuselage and engine of a Russian kamikaze drone that struck the St. Stephen’s Chapel of the Assumption Cathedral on the Lavra grounds. According to the SBU, certain components of the drone were manufactured in Russia within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, as evidenced by markings on the recovered parts.

The strike damaged the roof trusses, domes, walls, and windows of the Assumption Cathedral. According to official reports, there were no fatalities or injuries directly on the Lavra grounds. At the same time, the blast wave damaged nearby civilian infrastructure in the Pechersk district of Kyiv.

SBU investigators have opened a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—violation of the laws and customs of war. Currently, investigative activities are ongoing, including an assessment of the extent of damage to one of Ukraine’s main holy sites, as well as damage assessment and efforts to mitigate the consequences of the attack.