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Kyiv monastery set on fire in night of Russian attacks across Ukraine
TL;DR
Kyiv experienced a massive Russian missile and drone attack, resulting in at least five fatalities and injuries to six others. The historic Dormition Cathedral in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was set on fire during the assault.
Key points
- Kyiv faced a massive Russian missile and drone attack.
- At least five people were killed and six injured.
- The Dormition Cathedral in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was set on fire.
- The attack targeted significant religious and residential sites.
- Ukrainian officials condemned the assault on heritage.
Mentioned in this story
KyivOrthodox Church of Ukraine
Kyiv Pechersk LavraDormition Cathedral
Ukraine has come under a massive Russian missile and drone attack with waves of explosions echoing through the capital, Kyiv, in the early hours of Monday morning as air raids killed at least five people across the country.
Among targets hit in the sustained wave of strikes were the city’s historic Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious sites, as well as residential buildings across the city.
Footage from the Perchersk Lavra, a Unesco world heritage site, showed towering flames licking up towards its domes. Six people were reported injured.
“[T]he roof of one of the holiest places in the Christian world – the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – is burning,” Metropoliton Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, wrote on X.
Yulia Svyrydenko, the prime minister, posted a picture of the monastery building in flames and wrote: “A brutal assault on our people and our heritage. This is the true face of Russia’s Orthodox values.
“We ask for prayers for the salvation of the shrine from destruction. Another Russian crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity.”
Damage was reported at 16 locations across the capital amid the sound of interceptor launches and explosions that shook windows in the city centre.
“New launches targeting the capital keep being recorded,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, urging people to remain in shelters as at least 10 people were reported injured.
Attacks across Ukraine came after the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, had warned that Moscow would target Ukraine with “systemic” strikes, and amid evidence of mounting battlefield setbacks for Russia.
Smoke rises from a fire during the Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv. Photograph: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The strikes follow a period of relative quiet in Kyiv in recent days as Moscow prepared its drone and missile forces for the latest in a recent series of massive air attacks.
Outside the capital, at least five people were killed in the city of Kharkiv in what appeared to be a double tap strike targeting emergency responders.
Q&A
What happened during the recent Russian attacks in Kyiv?
Kyiv was hit by a significant Russian missile and drone attack, leading to multiple explosions and casualties, including five deaths.
Which significant religious site was damaged in the Kyiv attacks?
The Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO world heritage site, was severely damaged and caught fire during the attacks.
What was the response from Ukrainian officials regarding the attacks?
Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, condemned the attacks as a brutal assault on the nation and its cultural heritage.
