Attack on Pechersk Monastery is a crime against Christian culture, says Zelenskyy; offers meeting with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared Russia's strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as one of Russia's greatest crimes against Christian culture. The attack, which occurred on Monday, resulted in a fire in the Dormition Cathedral, a church with origins dating back to the 11th century.

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After Russia's attack on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the Dormition Cathedral burned - a church whose origins date back to the 11th century - and this is one of Russia's greatest crimes against Christian culture.

Zelenskyy reported that rescuers had extinguished the fire at the cathedral's roof. He also noted that other regions, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, were hit by Russian attacks on Monday night. The president urged G7 nations, currently in summit, to respond decisively with increased pressure on Russia and enhanced air defense aid for Ukraine.

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Russia is showing the world its intentions to continue the war. It is very important that the G7 countries, which are currently gathering for a summit, have a decisive and substantive response – greater pressure on the aggressor, greater assistance to Ukraine in air defense, primarily in anti-ballistic systems.

According to Ukrainian military forces, Russia targeted the monastery and the "Mystetskyi Arsenal" museum complex with drones. Zelenskyy shared on Telegram that two Russian drones deliberately attacked the area where the monastery is located, posting photos from the site. Fragments of a Russian "Geras-2" kamikaze drone were found at the scene, with markings indicating some parts were manufactured in Russia.

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It has been confirmed that two Russian drones deliberately attacked that part of the city where the monastery and "Mystetskyi Arsenal" are located.

In a separate development, Zelenskyy extended an offer to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the ongoing G7 summit in France. He expressed that such a meeting, potentially including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, would offer a significant opportunity for dialogue. Zelenskyy stated that Europe and the United States agree on this approach, but Russia has again shown it is not ready for negotiations. An official confirmed that Ukraine had invited their Russian counterparts but received no clear response.

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We have announced that we are ready to meet with Putin during the G7 summit, as Trump and Macron will be there, namely the Europeans and Americans. I think this is a very good opportunity for everyone to meet together.