Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk Calls for russia’s Expulsion from UNESCO Following Attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
15 June 2026, 14:08
Following an inspection of the aftermath of the russian attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk stated that the strike on the UNESCO World Heritage site demands a decisive international response and russia's expulsion from the organization.
Reportedly, in the early hours of June 15, russian UAVs struck the center of the Dormition Cathedral's roof. The direct hit targeted the altar section of the church—specifically the St. Stephen side altar. Both the exterior and interior of the cathedral sustained damage, as did a number of cultural institutions located within the Lavra grounds.
The damaged properties include the Treasury of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, the Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine, the National Historical Library of Ukraine, the National Academy of Culture and Arts Management, and the depository of the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine. The buildings suffered shattered windows and damaged doors. "What I have witnessed is not the consequence of a random hit," declared Olena Kondratiuk following her visit to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
According to her, the large-scale fire was contained thanks to the rain and the swift action of emergency services. At the same time, the threat of further collapse persists, with the murals, frescoes, and iconostasis of the Dormition Cathedral remaining in jeopardy. First responders and the UNESCO mission to Ukraine are currently working on-site.
Olena Kondratiuk emphasized that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is under enhanced international protection in accordance with the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“Conventions alone are not enough for protection. The world must respond to the systematic destruction of cultural heritage,” she noted.
The Deputy Speaker called on UNESCO Member States to publicly condemn the attack on the Lavra and to address the issue of holding russia accountable for the destruction of cultural property.
Furthermore, Olena Kondratiuk announced that the Ukrainian business community has launched fundraising efforts for the Lavra’s restoration. Notably, PrivatBank has opened a dedicated donation account and contributed the initial UAH 2 million.
She also urged international partners to maintain the steady supply of air defense systems to Ukraine.
“This is not merely a military issue; it is a humanitarian one,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
According to the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, the strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra represents an attempt to eradicate a vital symbol of Ukrainian spiritual and cultural identity, underscoring that the protection of such landmarks must be a shared responsibility of the international community.