Zelenskyy: Russian drone strike on Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is barbarism that cannot be justified

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had discussed Russia’s recent strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, describing the attack as an act of “barbarism” that cannot be justified.

Zelenskyy said he spoke with the Ecumenical Patriarch by phone while travelling through Chisinau Airport on his way to the G7 summit.

“I am grateful for His All-Holiness’ support and his absolutely clear moral position: the attack by Russian drones on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra — a holy site not only for Ukraine but for the entire Orthodox world — is barbarism that cannot be justified,” Zelenskyy said.

According to the President, the conversation also covered possible formats for future personal meetings with Patriarch Bartholomew.

“I invited His All-Holiness to visit Ukraine. I am grateful for his prayers for Ukraine and our people,” Zelenskyy added.

During the night of June 15, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with Kyiv reported as the primary target. Ukrainian authorities said Russia fired numerous ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones, toward the capital.

One of the drones struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, causing a fire. Following the attack, the monastery complex was closed to visitors.