Russia’s defense ministry denied responsibility, saying that the damage was caused by “a missile from a U.S.-made Patriot” missile system, which Ukraine uses for air defense.

NBC News has reached out to Zelenskyy’s office for comment on the claim, while Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, said that a Russian drone had hit the monastery.

The monastic complex in the heart of Kyiv is one of Ukraine’s most treasured cultural and spiritual landmarks, a centuries-old pilgrimage site that draws visitors from across the country and beyond.

It’s known for its network of churches, bell towers and underground caves. UNESCO described the site as a “masterpiece of Ukrainian art” and placed it on the World Heritage in Danger list after Russia’s full-scale invasion, citing “the threat of destruction the Russian offensive poses.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called Russian President Vladimir Putin “the 21st century’s worst barbarian” after the attack on the monastery. The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine asked for prayers for the site’s salvation.

Firefighters battled the blaze beneath the towers and golden domes of the monastery’s Dormition Cathedral. Damage at the complex was substantial and a serious fire had broken out, Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the capital’s military administration, said in a Telegram post.

“This is how Russia shows the world its intention to continue the war,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X.