Russian Drone Attack Damages UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lviv, Ukraine
Lviv, Ukraine – A Russian drone attack on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, caused damage to a UNESCO World Heritage site in the center of Lviv, a city in western Ukraine. The attack also resulted in multiple injuries and fires across the city and surrounding areas.
Attack Details and Damage
Russian forces launched a drone attack in broad daylight, targeting the central part of Lviv. According to preliminary reports, a UNESCO heritage site sustained damage. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that at least 13 people were injured and receiving treatment in Lviv hospitals, with the number of victims expected to rise. Andriy Sadovyi
The regional governor, Maksym Kozytskyi, warned residents to take shelter, citing a continued high threat of further drone strikes. Maxim Kozitsky
Specifically, the historic 17th-century St. Andrew’s Church was struck by a Russian drone, as confirmed by video footage. Russian kamikaze drone smashes into Ukrainian World Heritage. The ensemble of the Bernardine monastery, an architectural monument of national importance located within Lviv’s historical area (a UNESCO protected zone), also suffered damage, with fires erupting in attached buildings. A Russian Shahed drone struck a building in central Lviv
Fires were also reported in residential buildings on Cathedral Square, Brothers Rohatyntsev and Krasnaya Kalina streets. A private house in the village of Serniki, Bibra territorial community, caught fire due to falling drone debris.
Broader Attacks Across Ukraine
The attack on Lviv was part of a larger barrage of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched over 390 drone strikes and 34 missile attacks targeting cities and critical infrastructure in 11 other regions. These attacks resulted in damage to apartment buildings, civilian infrastructure and even a train.
International Response
The attack on a UNESCO World Heritage site has drawn international condemnation. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko stated that Russia was attacking a crowded city center in broad daylight. UNESCO heritage site came under Russian attack in Ukraine
Russian officials have not yet commented on the attacks.
Key Takeaways
- A Russian drone attack on March 24, 2026, damaged a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lviv, Ukraine.
- At least 13 people were injured in Lviv, with the number expected to increase.
- The attack is part of a wider series of Russian strikes targeting multiple regions of Ukraine.
- St. Andrew’s Church and the Bernardine monastery ensemble were specifically damaged in Lviv.
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