I Watched Kyiv Burn Last Night (w/ Caolan Robertson)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bulwark — I Watched Kyiv Burn Last Night (w/ Caolan Robertson)
Date: June 15, 2026
Host: Tim Mo, The Bulwark
Guest: Caolan Robertson, On-the-ground reporter in Kyiv

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Overview

This episode of The Bulwark features a gripping discussion with Caolan Robertson, an independent journalist reporting live from Kyiv amidst the latest, particularly devastating Russian missile and drone attacks. The conversation focuses on the targeted destruction of a thousand-year-old monastery, the evolving brutality of Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian culture and morale, and the hypocrisy behind Russia’s claims to defend Christian values, particularly in light of their attacks on sacred sites. The episode also explores the resilience and fatigue among Ukrainians, the role of far-right Western personalities in Russian propaganda, and the psychological toll of the prolonged war.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Attack on the Kyiv Monastery

[00:00–01:45]

• Robertson's On-Site Reporting:
  Robertson describes the immediate aftermath at a monastery struck by Russian missiles, highlighting the firefighters’ and priests’ desperate efforts to save religious relics and the building itself.

  “There’s a priest behind me right now. He’s trying to save a cross because this building, which is almost a thousand years old, was hit by Russian missiles... I never thought I'd make a video like this, but it's four o'clock in the morning here in Ukraine.” — Caolan Robertson [00:38]

• Symbolic Targeting:
  The monastery, a UNESCO heritage site and one of Eastern Christianity’s most sacred places, was intentionally targeted, emphasizing a Russian strategy to undermine both Ukrainian identity and wider Western cultural heritage.

  “This is actually the war that Russia is waging on the civilized world. It's nothing to do with land or territory.” — Caolan Robertson [01:22]

Russia’s Shift in Tactics & Narrative Hypocrisy

[01:45–04:39]

• Escalating Desperation:
  Robertson and Tim Mo discuss how Russia, facing setbacks on the front lines, is resorting to the terrorization of civilians and the destruction of cultural sites.

  “Russia have decided that they want to be more desperate than they ever have been. And they started to specifically attack places of worship. Monasteries.” — Caolan Robertson [01:49]

• Contradiction of ‘Christian Values’:
  The Russian government’s self-presentation as a defender of Christian and traditional values is starkly contradicted by assaults on churches and religious heritage.

  “Russia pretends to be based in Christian and sort of like a nationalist country. And then they put missiles into literal churches.” — Caolan Robertson [01:49]

  “A moral country does not do what it did last night. Russia is behaving like a country that is demonic, honestly... Putting missiles into a church is demonic, really.” — Caolan Robertson [04:39]

Ukrainian & International Perceptions

[03:12–06:01]

• Historical Devastation:
  President Zelensky’s statements are cited, underscoring the attack as among Russia’s most serious crimes against Christian culture and not just a military action.

  “The monastery...dates back a thousand years... I didn’t know this housed extensive catacombs where Orthodox saints are buried...to go after Lavra...does seem an intentional assault on Ukrainian culture and history as well as the Christian church.” — Tim Mo [03:12]

• Broader Impact in Ukraine:
  Robertson reflects on the sense of cultural loss and psychological trauma experienced by Ukrainians—religious or not—as ancient, iconic buildings burn.

Life on the Ground in Kyiv

[06:01–07:52]

• Daily Escalation and Resilience:
  The intensity and frequency of missile and drone strikes are rising; Robertson details personal experiences, such as living through the windows of his Kyiv apartment being blown out.

  “It was 611 drones last night. It was 61 missiles, as well. I live right in the top floor of the highest apartment here in Kyiv and...Two of my windows were blown out. It's really getting to a point of madness.” — Caolan Robertson [06:43]

• Public Fatigue:
  The ongoing terror is taking a psychological toll on the population, leading to exhaustion but also a grim, sharpening resolve.

Western Far-Right Personalities & Russian Propaganda

[07:52–10:08]

• Importing Western Far-Right for Propaganda:
  The hosts call out the hypocrisy of Western far-right figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, whom Putin recently invited to Russia for image management and narrative control.

  “Putin just welcomed many of them... to Russia...One of their big talking points is that, you know, Putin is a defender of traditional Christian values...what happened last night really kind of lays bare the truth of what Putin is and the lie of...Candace Owens and Tucker are trying to make him seem like.”— Tim Mo [07:52]

• Internal Russian Contradictions:
  While claiming Christian virtue, Russia faces soaring violence and abuse internally. Robertson describes this gap between image and grim reality.

  “A Christian country doesn't bomb churches like it did last night. A Christian country also doesn't have the same rates of abuse like Russia has...” — Caolan Robertson [08:48]

  “They're desperate to project an image that they are a roaring bear, that they're successful, and also that they're like a base Christian country. And they're showing that they're the opposite right here.” — Caolan Robertson [09:52]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This, this is actually what Putin's holy war actually looks like.” — Caolan Robertson [01:36]
• “Watching a church that's a thousand years old, older than Moscow, by the way, on fire is really unprecedented.” — Caolan Robertson [04:39]
• “It's really getting to a point of madness...but this is kind of expected in terms of a state that can only be described as desperate right now.” — Caolan Robertson [06:43]
• “People here are tired and people here are worried.” — Caolan Robertson [10:26]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00–01:45] — Live, on-the-ground reaction to attacks on Kyiv’s monastery and surrounding area.
• [01:45–04:39] — Discussion of Russia’s targeted strikes on religious sites and the hypocrisy of Russia’s proclaimed Christian values.
• [06:01–07:52] — Life on the ground in Kyiv: effect of constant missile attacks on daily life.
• [07:52–10:08] — Western far-right figures in Russian propaganda and further discussion on the disconnect between Russia’s narrative and its actions.

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Summary & Takeaways

This episode confronts the raw reality and shifting tactics of the war in Ukraine, particularly the targeting of spiritual and cultural heritage in Kyiv. Caolan Robertson’s accounts make starkly real the suffering and fear gripping the city, while Tim Mo and Robertson together highlight the glaring hypocrisy in Russia's narrative, both for domestic consumption and international propaganda. The resilience of the Ukrainian people is notable, but there is a palpable sense of fatigue and urgent need for continued Western attention and support.

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For more, visit thebulwark.com

Transcript

[A]

Hey, everybody, it's Tim Mo from the Bulwark. I'm welcoming back to the channel Kalin Robertson. I'm sure you know him on YouTube, various social media accounts. He's been covering the war in Ukraine from Kiev. And last night, Russia was launching hundreds of drones and missiles at Ukraine's biggest cities, including Kiev, and most notably attacked a monastery, one of the Eastern Christianity's holiest sites. It's a church and a monastery. And the scene from last night was pretty horrific. I was watching Kalyn there early in the early hours of the morning, and so I want to play that for you guys, then we'll get him on the other side.

[B]

So there's a priest behind me right now. He's trying to save a cross because this building, which is almost a thousand years old, was hit by Russian missiles. You can see the police officer right behind me is looking out for missiles and drones which are also coming into the city. I never thought I'd make a video like this, but it's four o' clock in the morning here in Ukraine. There are firefighters everywhere trying to put out the flames from a building that is burning right now behind me. And I actually can't believe that I'm witnessing this right now. And everyone is on edge. You know, these firefighters are putting their lives at risk just to try and save this building.

[C]

So priests here are trying to save artifacts and trying to save things that are sacred as well.

[A]

Then some bullets just. I don't know how to explain history.

[B]

The reason that I came here right now to make this video is to show that this, this is actually the war that Russia is waging on the civilized world. It's nothing to do with land or territory.

[C]

And even though right now it's still

[B]

super dangerous, I came here for a very spec reason.

[A]

Look at this.

[C]

This isn't faith. When Moscow talks about faith, they mean destruction. This, this is actually what Putin's holy war actually looks like.

[A]

All right, Kaylan, what, What did you see there? And give us an update on what's happening.

[C]

Well, it feels like things are getting worse in lots of ways. Russia have decided that they want to be more desperate than they ever have been. And they started to specifically attack places of worship. Monasteries. Right. And at the exact same time that they bring Andrew Tate, Candace Owens, the far right, that sort of who's who, and pretending that there's the sort of bastions of free speech, the bastions of morality, of Christianity, they are bombing a thousand year old churches. Honest to God, I have never seen anything like this in terms of what I saw last night, walking, you know, at 1:30am to 2:00am in the morning, seeing a church literally on fire was. It was shocking. And knowing that this is all intentional and it's because Russia wants to instill as much fear as possible for everyone here living in Ukraine. But, I mean, this was. This is like, completely flies in the face of everything that they pretend to be, right? Russia pretends to be sort of based in Christian and sort of like a nationalist country. And then they put missiles into literal churches. I mean, I was interviewing priests last night, and they were running for their lives and they were holding, you know, crucifixes, trying to save them. And it was like they were trying to save the west in some ways. They were sort of trying to save this history that we have. And this is a UNESCO stated building as well. I mean, this was, like, unlike anything I've ever seen in my life. It was. It was shocking.

[A]

Yeah. Zelensky called the assault on the Lavra one of Russia's most serious crimes against Christian culture to date. The monastery, as you mentioned, dates back a thousand years. I didn't know. This houses extensive catacombs where Orthodox saints are buried. So, you know, obviously, missile attacking a church in any situation like this is not a, you know, a military target. You know, this is not, you know, within, you know, the bounds of war and the international rule of law when it comes to war. But in particular, to go after Lavra, this, like, historic monastery and church where, you know, they have all these saints and relics, it does seem an intentional assault on Ukrainian culture and history as well as the Christian church.

[C]

Yeah. And right now, Russia isn't winning on the front lines. Russia is losing. Russia is humiliated. Russia asked for permission to hold a Victory Day protest that they weren't given. You know, moving forward, they were. They just had to cancel Russia Day. So they're lashing out right now and they're trying to massacre as many people as possible. And it's very obvious here, but also, you know, it really is the opposite of everything that Russia puts out. This was. You know, I'm not religious myself at all. I'm sure that maybe you're not either.

[A]

Wait, hey, don't assume I got my Regis Jesuit cert on, okay? I went to. I went to Jesuit high school, all right? I'm a cradle Catholic. My mother. My mother was bringing me to church. It's a little tough for me these days, but, you know, I still. You can still have respect.

[C]

We both went to church so we both kind of all understand, like, the value of what the church represents. But watching the beautiful sort of like gold dome buildings here on, Under. Under threat, like they are now on fire is a scene that I never thought possible, is a scene that I never thought would, Would. Would be unfolding in front of my own eyes. But this is, but this is what Russia represents now. It represents desperation. You know, Russia is not losing on the battle, is not winning on the battlefield in this country right now. And so they are lashing out and they are trying to terrify everyone here. And this is like really clutching at straws. This is, this is insane. And at the exact same time, again, the fact that they're inviting, you know, the who's who of the far right, pretending that they're very based, pretending that they are sort of like the pinnacle of, of morality, you know, a moral country does not do what it did last night. Russia is behaving like a country that is demonic, honestly, really. I mean, putting missiles into a church is demonic, really. It is. And watching a church that's a thousand years old, older than Moscow, by the way, on fire is really unprecedented. So. And I think we're going to be seeing more of this, honestly. You know, I've just arrived back here in Ukraine from, from Ireland, and things are getting worse here in terms of the terrorism from Russia, but I think that they're going to get worse before they get better. I mean, it's just insane.

[A]

Yeah, talk about what else you're seeing, what is happening on the ground again, I feel like we do this all the time. We check in with you, and it's hard for us in America to follow the day to day of the war and get a sense for what life is like in the major cities in Ukraine, across Ukraine. We're talking to. Oh, man, I forgot who I had on the podcast the other day. They're talking about the progress which Ukraine is making on the battlefield, which you referenced, and like the, the progress and, and putting pressure on. On Russia with the various drone developments and other military advancements. But, like, that's only one part of the war. The other part is, you know, continuing to have the resolve and continuing to be able to live your life. And like, I'm just wondering kind of what that is like in, in Kyiv right now.

[C]

Well, life is more unpleasant right now in Ukraine. Even though Ukraine is winning on the battlefield in lots of ways, it puts Russia difficult position because again, they're not winning in terms of territory. Russia lost more ground in the last six months than they ever have since 2022. And so this is a real turning point and you can really feel it. But you can also feel it in terms of every day things are getting more dramatic. There are more missiles entering the city. It was 611 drones last night. It was 61 missiles as well. I mean, this is like I live right in the top floor of the highest apartment here in Kyiv and it was incredibly loud. Two of my windows were blown out. It's really getting to a point of madness. But this is kind of expected in terms of a state that can only be described as desperate right now. So I think that's what Russia is. And Russia feels cornered. And that's why they're wheeling out Steve Wyckoff. That's why they're wheeling out every single asset they possibly can, because they, they're clutching at straws and it's why they're lashing out like they are right now. I mean, this is really like unprecedented. It's shocking.

[A]

You mentioned kind of like the hypocrisy is noted. I just think it's worth noting, especially given that it's within the remainder of what I'm covering. In American politics too, you have these so called America first kind of podcasters and pundits, the Candace Owens of the world, the Tuckers. Putin just welcomed many of them, as you mentioned, to Russia. Like one of their big talking points is that, you know, Putin is a defender of traditional Christian values. Right. And like you hear a lot on these podcasts about stories of the poor Christians who are being killed by or like, you know, by the Israelis or the fact that like, the Ukrainians are anti church and are going after the Russian Orthodox and kicking them out of Ukraine. I feel like what happened last night really kind of lays bare the truth of what Putin is and the lie of like, what Candace Owens and Tucker are trying to make him seem like is some defender of traditional Christian values.

[C]

Yeah. And again, everything about Russia screams hypocrisy in terms of what it tries to put out into the whole world. You know, Russia claims to be the bastion of Christianity. A Christian country doesn't bomb churches like it did last night. A Christian country also doesn't have the same rates of abuse like Russia has right now in terms of domestic abuse is now through the roof. In Russia, violence is through the roof. Degeneracy is now through the roof. But I mean, this is a country that is putting out the opposite in terms of its values, of what it actually represents. It's an insane time but really, Russia feels right now more desperate than ever. I think what they're doing here in Ukraine, you can really, really, really feel it is the opposite of every single value that they're pretending to represent. And it's. I feel like it's coming to an end. You know, they're trying to recruit soldiers at an unprecedented rate in Moscow, paying them $60,000 as a sign up fee. Same thing in St. Petersburg. The fact that they invited Andrew Tate, the fact that they invited every single one of these people to St Petersburg shows that they are desperate to project an image that they are a roaring bear, that they're successful, and also that they're like a base Christian country. And they're showing that they're the opposite right here.

[A]

Were there other Ukrainians out last night? I mean, have you spoken to anybody today? As the day goes on, I'm just kind of wondering how the people of Ukraine can continue to kind of process these atrocities. And it has to wear on them over time.

[C]

It does wear on people. Honestly. People here are tired and people here are worried.