Following attack on Kyiv Lavra, All-Ukrainian Council of Churches urges stronger sanctions against Russia

According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a declaration by the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches.

On the night of June 15, the Russian Federation launched yet another massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv, damaging the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and causing a fire on the roof of the Assumption Cathedral that covered an area of approximately 800 square meters.

The Council of Churches noted that the Lavra dates back to the 11th century, has historically been one of the main centers for the spread of Christianity in Eastern Europe, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is home to a monastic community; religious life thrives there, with services and prayers held regularly.

The Lavra complex also houses a National Reserve with numerous museum collections featuring outstanding works and artifacts of history and culture.

“The Russian shelling of the Lavra is yet another crime against humanity, against Christianity, and against Ukraine’s spiritual, historical, and cultural heritage. We remind you that since the start of the full-scale war, approximately 800 religious buildings belonging to Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Ukraine have suffered complete or partial destruction and damage from Russian attacks,” the authors of the statement emphasized.

The Council of Churches noted that during the latest massive attack on Kyiv, the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, the National Cultural, Art, and Museum Complex “Mystetskyi Arsenal,” and a large postal terminal were destroyed; high-rise and private residential buildings were hit; and strikes were carried out against the power and water supply systems.

“All these crimes are being committed by the Russian Federation, which has obligations as a UN member, is a member of UNESCO, and which, taking advantage of the lack of political will in international institutions and the insufficient resolve of democratic countries, cynically continues its terrorist attacks against Ukrainian cities, committing ever new acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people. Once again, we call on the governments of democratic countries to intensify sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, Russian politicians, businessmen, journalists, and Russian religious figures who are complicit in the ongoing crimes against humanity in Ukraine,” the UCCRO emphasized.

The Council of Churches expressed sincere gratitude to Ukraine’s air defense forces and to all Ukrainian soldiers, rescuers, medical personnel, and life support services for their selfless service.

“We call on churches, religious communities, and all people of good will to unite in prayer and continue praying for an end to Russian aggression and the establishment of a just peace for Ukraine! We thank every concerned person from different countries who have not grown weary of standing alongside Ukrainians on the side of good and showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” the UCCRO emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, a fire broke out in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv as a result of an airstrike by Russian forces.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epiphanius, called the Russian military strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra yet another Russian crime against humanity and against Christianity.

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