Russian strike in Kyiv damages historic cathedral, 9 killed

International Desk. PNN

At least nine people have been killed in a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, according to local authorities. A major religious site in Kyiv was damaged by fire, raising international concern.

Four people were killed in separate strikes in Kyiv, while five rescue workers died in Kharkiv while extinguishing a fire caused by an attack.

The 11th-century Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv was severely damaged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it “one of the greatest crimes against Christian culture,” while Russia denied directly targeting the site.

Several residential buildings and vehicles were set on fire, and power infrastructure damage left over 150,000 people without electricity.

Russia reportedly launched about 70 missiles and 611 drones in a single night. France condemned the attack, calling it unjustifiable.

The cathedral is part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Russia claimed it targeted military facilities and blamed a US-made Patriot missile for the damage, without providing evidence.