Ukrainian Churches in Crosshairs as Religious Sites Targeted

On June 15, the historically significant “Monastery of the Caves,” in Kyiv was damaged during a large-scale Russian bombing campaign of the Ukrainian capital. The monastery has a long history, and has, in recent years, been one of many sites of struggle between Russia and Ukraine’s conflicts over history, national identity, and culture.

Originally built in the 11th century, the monastery survived attacks by warring nations ranging from the Mongols to the Russian Empire. In the Soviet era, the complex was turned into a museum, 8 years after it was the site of a murder of the Metropolitan.