At least 11 people have lost their lives following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that caused significant damage to Kyiv’s historic Dormition Cathedral, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Four fatalities were reported in Kyiv after residential areas came under attack, while five emergency responders were killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv while battling a blaze triggered by a strike. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of others were injured nationwide.
The Dormition Cathedral, a landmark dating back to the 11th century and part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, suffered extensive damage during the overnight assault. Zelensky described the attack as a serious blow to Ukraine’s religious and cultural heritage.
Images from the site showed a large breach in one section of the cathedral, with parts of the roof destroyed by fire. The monument is located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as one of Ukraine’s most important spiritual centers.
Russia denied targeting the cathedral and claimed that a US-made Patriot air-defense missile may have struck the structure after malfunctioning. Moscow did not provide evidence to support the allegation. Russian military officials stated that their operations were directed at Ukrainian military facilities.
According to Zelensky, Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones during the overnight offensive. Fires caused by the attacks were later brought under control by emergency services.
The strikes also disrupted daily life in Kyiv, where authorities reported power outages affecting more than 140,000 residents. Damage was recorded to residential buildings, vehicles and other civilian infrastructure across the capital.
International leaders quickly condemned the attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron described the damage to the cathedral as an attack on shared human heritage, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of committing war crimes through attacks on civilians and cultural sites.
The latest escalation comes ahead of the G7 summit in France, where the conflict in Ukraine is expected to feature prominently on the agenda. Zelensky urged international partners to increase pressure on Russia and strengthen Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities, particularly through the supply of anti-ballistic missile systems.
The Ukrainian president also revealed that he had recently discussed efforts to end the war during a conversation with US President Donald Trump.
The Dormition Cathedral has previously suffered damage during Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in 2022. Earlier attacks affected several structures within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex. The cathedral itself was largely destroyed during World War II before being restored in later decades.
UNESCO condemned the latest damage, describing the cathedral as one of Ukraine’s most significant cultural and spiritual landmarks. The organization warned that attacks on heritage sites undermine community recovery efforts and deprive people of important spaces for education, culture and social cohesion.
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