---
title: "Lesya Nikityuk on a terrifying night in Kyiv: 'Even on the third basement floor, we breathed in the smell of burning'"
description: "Lesya Nikityuk told about a terrifying night in Kyiv: even on the third basement floor of the parking lot, there was nothing to breathe due to smoke. Russia attacked the capital with missiles and drones, as a result people died and important facilities were damaged, including the Assumption Cathedral. 🇺🇦🚨"
date: 2026-06-15T08:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/lesya-nikityuk-on-a-terrifying-night-in-kyiv-even-on-the-third-basement-floor-we-breathed-in-the-smell-of-burning
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Lesya Nikityuk on a terrifying night in Kyiv: 'Even on the third basement floor, we breathed in the smell of burning'

![Lesya Nykytiuk in an interview about the terrifying night in Kyiv, when even on the minus third floor they smelled burning](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/15/lesya-nikiutyuk-o-strashnoy-nochi-v-kieve-dazhe-na-minus-tret'em-etazhe-dyshal-gorelym/lesya-nikiutyuk-o-strashnoy-nochi-v-kieve-dazhe-na-minus-tret'em-etazhe-dyshal-gorelym-1.webp)

The night of June 15 became one of the heaviest for Kyiv in recent times. A massive attack by Russian forces struck the capital of Ukraine, forcing residents to seek shelter in the most protected places. Famous Ukrainian TV presenter Lesya Nikityuk personally told how this night passed.

### Shelter in an underground parking lot

When the air raid siren sounded over the city, Lesya was at home with her son. Realizing the reality of the threat, the presenter did not take risks and went down to the underground parking lot. According to her, she chose the third basement floor, hoping it would be safer there.

However, as practice showed, even a deep basement did not become complete protection from the consequences of the strike. Nikityuk shared shocking details on her social media, urging fellow citizens not to ignore safety rules.

"Parking -3. Everything is already in smoke. A terrible night. And as practice has shown, even the -1 floor of the parking lot is very dangerous. What can I say. Even on -3 we breathed in the smell of burning. So do not neglect personal safety, hide. And hide deeper," the star wrote.

### Scale of the attack and losses

The night strike was one of the largest. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, from the evening of June 14, Russia launched 70 missiles of various types and more than 600 strike and imitation drones at the territory of Ukraine. Air defense forces repelled the attack, destroying or suppressing 632 air targets, including 50 missiles and 582 drones.

The main blow fell on Kyiv. Tragic losses were recorded in the capital: at least five people died, more than 30 were injured, including two children. 26 fires broke out in the city, residential buildings, infrastructure facilities, and educational institutions were damaged.

### Damaged infrastructure facilities

Among the buildings damaged as a result of the night attack were important state and cultural facilities. The list of damaged facilities includes:

    - Premises of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC);

    - Workshop of the Dovzhenko National Film Studio;

    - Sorting terminal of the Nova Poshta company;

    - Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Lesya Nikityuk's words that the smell of burning penetrates even to the deep floors of underground parking lots became a grim reminder of how dangerous the situation in the capital remains and the need to strictly observe safety measures during air raids.