Russian missile‑drone strike on Kyiv kills nine and ignites historic cathedral

On June 15, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine, firing roughly 70 missiles and more than 600 drones at military‑industrial sites in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro. Ukrainian officials reported nine civilian deaths, including four in Kyiv, and injuries to several children and rescue workers. The assault caused fires at the 11th‑century Dormition Cathedral in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery and at the National Art and Culture Museum "Mystetskyi Arsenal," damaging hundreds of square metres.

Ukraine’s military said air defenses intercepted many of the missiles, including Zircon anti‑ship, Iskander ballistic and Kh‑101 cruise missiles, but the onslaught hit about 40 points in the capital. Russia claimed the strike targeted defence industry facilities and asserted that all designated targets were hit, attributing the cathedral blaze to a malfunctioning Patriot interceptor. The attack underscores the ongoing escalation of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict and the vulnerability of cultural heritage sites.

Five emergency‑service workers were also killed while combating the fires, highlighting the high human cost of the operation.