Published on: 2026-06-15
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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For millions of residents of Ukraine, the past night passed to the sounds of sirens of air raid alarms and explosions. The UN humanitarian aid coordinator in the country, Mattias Schmale, condemned the new wave of large-scale Russian strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv, which led to deaths and injuries among the civilian population, as well as damage to residential buildings and cultural heritage sites of Ukraine.
Fires broke out in residential areas in Kiev and Kharkov. In addition, according to available data, emergency service personnel died and were injured in Kharkov during the liquidation of the consequences of the previous strike. Several civilian casualties were also recorded in the Kiev region and in the frontline areas of the country.
Hits on cultural heritage
According to available data, as a result of the strike on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – one of Ukraine’s most important spiritual and cultural symbols, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – significant damage was caused to the exterior and interior decoration of the Assumption Cathedral. It is reported that the adjoining historical structures were also damaged, including elements of the Lavra’s fortification complex and the Ioann Kushnik Tower.
In addition, during a wave of attacks, the Kharkiv Art Museum was damaged.
In UNESCO, the attack was firmly condemned and it was reminded that cultural values, educational institutions, students, education sector workers, and media representatives are protected under international law.
“Damage to such institutions deprives the community of access to culture, education, and public spaces, which are indispensable for restoration and social cohesion,” the organization emphasized.
Protection of the civilian population
According to Schmal, the new attacks have become part of a worrying trend of increasing numbers of casualties and the scale of damage to the civilian population. According toaccording to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, in May 2026, more civilians in Ukraine were killed and wounded than in any other month since April 2022.
The UN reminded that international humanitarian law requires the protection of the civilian population, emergency service personnel, and civilian infrastructure facilities.
Special protection is extended to cultural and religious sites, as their destruction deprives people of a common historical heritage and a sense of belonging to their community.
UNESCO announced its readiness to support the Ukrainian authorities in assessing the damage caused to cultural and educational institutions, as well as in determining urgent measures for the repair and restoration.
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