A major drone attack took place in Lviv city of Ukraine on 24 March 2026. The Iranian-origin Shahed drone used by the Russian military targeted an old building located in the historic center of the city. During the attack, a loud explosion and black smoke were seen in the sky, which frightened the people nearby. Many historical sites and residential buildings have been hit by this attack, causing huge damage to the cultural heritage of the city.
How much damage was caused in this attack and which places were affected?
According to local officials, at least 32 people have been injured in this attack, out of which seven people have been admitted to the hospital in critical condition. The attack caused damage to the Bernardine Monastery and St. UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Andrew’s Church have been damaged. Apart from this, the residential buildings of Soborna Square and the prison museum have also been deeply affected.
Historic Buildings: The Bernardine Monastery Complex and St. Mary Magdalen Church were damaged.
Residential area: Windows and roofs of many buildings in Soborna Square and Bandera Street were broken.
relief work: Immediate assistance was provided to the injured people and the work of removing the debris was started.
What did officials and international organizations say?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the attack. He said that drone attack on a historical church is an inhuman act. UNESCO has also released its official report on this incident and has assured all possible help to save the heritage of the city. A Belgian delegation was also present there at the time of the attack, which narrowly escaped injury.
Organization/Official Key Statements and Actions UNESCO will send a team of experts to assess the damage. Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a sign of unwillingness to end the war. Andriy Sadovyi (mayor) apologized for his previous comments on the Air Force and expressed support. Foreign Ministry demanded cancellation of Russia’s UNESCO membership.
