Controversy Ignites Over Kyiv Monastery Strike

Russia denied targeting the historic Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv, attributing the damage to a misfired U.S.-made Patriot missile. The monastery caught fire amid a major Russian air strike on Kyiv, aimed at military targets. Ukraine and Western nations blame Russia for the damage.

In a recent development, Russia has firmly denied accusations of striking the historic Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv during an overnight military operation targeting factories in the Ukrainian capital.

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the blaze at this UNESCO World Heritage site was triggered by a U.S.-made Patriot missile that supposedly malfunctioned.

Western nations and Ukraine, however, have pointed fingers at Russia, accusing it of being responsible for the damage to the sacred site amidst the heaviest Russian air raid on Kyiv in two weeks.