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Kyiv monastery damaged in massive Russian overnight attacks

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack across Ukraine, hitting Kyiv and other cities.
  • The historic Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery was damaged by fire.
  • At least five people were killed in attacks across the country, with residential buildings also targeted.

Russia unleashed a wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine early Monday, with explosions rocking the capital Kyiv and killing at least five people nationwide. The sustained assault targeted residential buildings and a significant religious site, the Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Footage showed flames engulfing the cathedral.

[T]he roof of one of the holiest places in the Christian world – the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – is burning.

— Metropolitan EpiphaniusHead of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reacting to the damage at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

Metropolitan Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, lamented the "burning" of the cathedral, calling it "one of the holiest places in the Christian world." Yulia Svyrydenko, the prime minister, condemned the attack as a "brutal assault on our people and our heritage" and "another Russian crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity." Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, reported damage at 16 locations in the capital and urged residents to stay in shelters.

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.

— Yulia SvyrydenkoPrime Minister of Ukraine, commenting on the attack on the monastery.

Attacks occurred after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of "systemic" strikes. The strikes follow a period of relative calm in Kyiv. Outside the capital, Kharkiv reported five deaths, possibly from a double-tap strike on emergency responders. Poland, a NATO member, scrambled fighter jets in response. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had recently spoken with Donald Trump about ending the war.

New launches targeting the capital keep being recorded.

— Tymur TkachenkoHead of Kyiv's military administration, updating on the ongoing attacks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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