‘Stop Russian Barbarism’

The following are statements by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha regarding Russia’s mass bombardment of Kyiv and the targeting of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on June 14, 2026, delivered the next day at the United Nations.

 

Kyiv

Putin sends a message to G7 and European Council summits this week: he bets on terror instead of diplomacy. 

I urge the G7 and European leaders to hear this message well and ensure a proper response: stronger air defense for Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor. 

At least four dead and almost 30 injured in Kyiv as a result of Russia’s massive attack with the use of over 60 missiles and hundreds of drones. 

Russia also killed five first responders in a vile double-tap strike on Kharkiv. 

There have been more casualties across Ukraine in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy, Mykolayiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other regions.  

As the 21st century’s worst barbarian, Putin specifically targeted unique religious and cultural sites.  

Russians severely damaged the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra; bombed the historic Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Studios, destroying Ukraine’s largest and oldest costumes collection; struck the Kharkiv Art Museum and the Dnipro House Of Organ And Chamber Music. 

Russia has no justification for ruining lives, targeting residential areas, and destroying Ukrainian culture. It must be held accountable for its crimes. 

This attack demonstrates the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. This is priority number one. Additional contributions to PURL, strong decisions to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and interceptors. 

We also urge our partners to speed up the Ukraine-led European effort to develop our own protection from ballistic threats. It is time to deprive barbarians such as Putin from their terrorist tools

 

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

By striking the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the greatest holy sites of Christianity, Putin has forever put his name on the list of history’s worst barbarians. 

He should be damned for centuries. And he will lose this war.

From the Horde in the 13th century to the Nazis and Bolsheviks in the 20th century, Kyiv’s sacred monasteries have suffered numerous barbarically attacks.

Now we are dealing with Russian terrorists who have already outmatched ISIS in their crimes against cultural heritage. Only Russian scum who have nothing sacred can deliberately damage the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a unique UNESCO heritage site under special protection.

We will be urgently initiating all relevant procedures within UNESCO and all other international mechanisms, demanding immediate and adequate responses to this state barbarism. 

We expect strong reactions by international institutions and capitals. No vague words, silence, or weak steps. We need action now to stop Russian barbarism.

 

Remember this when next time you find yourself in a situation, where you may be compelled to shake hands with a Russian. His or her hand may be blood soaked or soiled with debris from one or another destroyed Ukrainian religious shrine.