Ukraine is working to establish a ceasefire and organize a humanitarian corridor to Sviatohirsk Lavra, located on the banks of the Siverskyi Donets River in Donetsk Region. As of today, Sviatohirsk Lavra is subjected to constant artillery fire from the russian military.

There are still up to 600 civilians in the premises of the Lavra. About 70% of them are pilgrims and local people who tried to find shelter from the shelling. A significant number of the pilgrims had arrived for pilgrimage at the Lavra before active hostilities started. The civilians have been unable to evacuate due to the ongoing hostilities and have requested a safe corridor.

Currently about 100 monks refuse to leave the territory of the Lavra. Some of them are in a serious condition due to injuries, age and illness, and cannot be evacuated. The authorities arrange deliveries of humanitarian aid for them, including food, water and medicines. The wounded people will also receive the medical care they need.

Ukraine is prepared to engage international mediators to help organise the humanitarian corridor in order to prevent provocations.

On 1 June, the russian occupying forces shelled the Sviatohirsk Lavra with artillery. As a result of the shelling, Archimandrite Halaktion, monk Aristoklii, and nun Varvara were killed. Several priests were seriously wounded.

Lavra is the name given to some monasteries that have special historical and spiritual significance. In Ukraine, four monasteries have Lavra status: Kyiv-Pechersk (the Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv), Pochayiv, Sviatohirsk, and Univ. Only two monasteries in the russian federation have this status.