President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the latest crimes committed by occupiers on Ukrainian soil and the situation in Donbas.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainians,

All our defenders!

On this day, the 101st day of full-scale war, in Donetsk at the Holy Dormition Pechersk Lavra, the All Saints' Hermitage burned down. It was set on fire as a result of Russian artillery shelling.

This is not the first time such an attack has been carried out against the lavra. As early as Wednesday, three monks of the lavra were killed in a Russian shelling. Services are now held in basements. The rumble of artillery and "flyovers" of Russian shells at the lavra are constant.

And this is one of only three lavras in Ukraine. This is a lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which Moscow still considers to be affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. Even that does not stop the Russian army.

They are ready to burn everything: Orthodox churches as well as anything else in Ukraine. During the full-scale war, 113 churches have already been destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling. Among them are those that survived World War II but did not withstand the Russian occupation. There are also those built after 1991. The All Saints' Hermitage of Holy Dormition Pechersk Lavra was started to be rebuilt in 2001. On June 10, it would have been exactly one year since construction began.

I was curious what Russian propagandists would say about the destruction of the hermitage. But in fact — nothing interesting. They are very predictable. They blame Ukrainians for arson. Although monks and civilians in Holy Dormition could clearly see that it was actually Russian artillery.

I believe that this propaganda lie, as well as the shelling, and support from Orthodox hierarchs in Russia of aggression against Ukraine — all of this should prompt the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to draw conclusions. More decisive ones and a clear condemnation of every one who incites aggression.

Ukrainian diplomats will do everything so that everyone around the world learns about yet another crime committed by occupiers. Russia deliberately and systematically destroys Ukraine's cultural and historical heritage, just as it does with social infrastructure, residential buildings, and everything else necessary for normal life.

A state that does this cannot be a member of UNESCO and cannot remain in the UN as if nothing happened. The UN Charter does not provide any rights to terrorists, and UNESCO is no place for barbarians.

Russian troops again shelled border areas of Sumy region, Mykolaiv, cities and communities of Zaporizhzhia region, Kharkiv region.

The situation remains difficult in Severodonetsk, where street fighting continues. Also difficult is the situation in Lysychansk, Mariinka, Kurakhove, and other cities and communities of Donbas. Constant air strikes, artillery and rocket attacks. As of today morning, the total number of various Russian rockets used against Ukraine — already 2,503.

Our heroes hold positions and do everything to inflict maximum losses on the enemy. I am grateful to every one of our defenders, each defender who is bringing us closer to that day when Russia will finally have to leave Donbas in peace.

Today in our country we honored the memory of children killed by Russian aggression. Over the past day, the most tragic number — the number of dead children — did not change. 261 children. That is how many Ukrainian children lost their lives because of Russia. But this is an official figure.

The more we learn about those who were buried in occupied territories, the larger, unfortunately, may become the number of names on this list. To read it — is scary. Year of birth, place of residence, circumstances of death... All of them would be alive today if just one person in Moscow had not caused this catastrophe.

This can no longer be undone. Because the war has already been going on. But at any moment it is possible to stop the terrible consequences of this war.

The Russian army could stop burning churches. The Russian army could stop destroying cities. The Russian army could stop killing children. If that same person in Moscow simply gave such an order. And the fact that there has been no such order so far is a clear humiliation for the entire world.

Eternal memory to all who died from Russian invasion!

Glory forever to every one and every one who defends Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"