A significant Russian assault on Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to at least 20 others, while causing a fire at a key religious site.

The attack, which occurred in Kyiv at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s major religious landmarks, took place on Monday, June 15, leading to apartment buildings being engulfed in flames.

According to Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, the five fatalities occurred in Kharkiv during a second Russian strike while battling a fire from a previous attack. Additionally, five emergency responders sustained injuries.

Tymur Tkachenko, the Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, accused Russia of intentionally targeting the heart of a significant Christian shrine, resulting in substantial damage at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex.

Metropolitan Epiphanius, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reported that the Dormition Cathedral’s roof caught fire during the overnight assault, condemning it as a Russian crime against humanity, history, and Christianity. He called for prayers to protect the site.

The city of Kyiv experienced a series of powerful explosions, with ballistic missiles and Shahed drones causing widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure. Many sought refuge underground, and officials advised residents to take cover.

Tkachenko mentioned that 20 individuals, including a child, received medical assistance in Kyiv. He noted that within a span of less than 30 minutes, five strikes hit civilian locations in Shevchenkivskyi district, causing fires in a 25-story apartment building, a market, and a grocery store.

In the Obolonskyi district, a nine-story residential building was directly hit. Tkachenko criticized the deliberate targeting of civilian sites by the attackers.