Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine: Deadly Russian missile and drone attacks damage a centuries-old cathedral, kill civilians and rescue workers, and leave thousands without power
KYIV, Ukraine — At least 11 people were killed and dozens more injured in a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Monday, according to Ukrainian officials, as attacks damaged residential neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and one of the country’s most important religious landmarks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, saying they represented one of the most serious assaults on Ukraine’s cultural and religious heritage during the war. Among the sites hit was the historic Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, an 11th-century religious monument that sustained significant damage after a fire broke out following the strike.
“The damage inflicted on the Dormition Cathedral is one of the biggest Russian crimes against Christian culture today,” Zelensky said in a statement, describing the destruction as an attack on Ukraine’s identity and history.
Russian authorities denied responsibility for striking the cathedral, maintaining that Russian forces do not target cultural or religious sites. The conflicting claims could not be independently verified.
The attacks on Kyiv claimed the lives of four people and left at least 23 others wounded, according to local authorities. Emergency crews worked throughout the day to rescue residents trapped beneath debris and extinguish fires caused by the bombardment.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported extensive damage across several districts of the capital. Residential buildings, vehicles, and other civilian infrastructure were hit during the strikes. More than 140,000 residents were left without electricity after damage to the city’s power network.
Images from affected neighborhoods showed burned-out vehicles, shattered windows, and emergency personnel searching through rubble. Authorities warned that restoring electricity to all affected areas could take time as engineers assessed the full extent of the damage.
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Kyiv and much of the country as Ukrainian air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles and drones. Most regions of Ukraine remained under air raid alerts for extended periods during the attacks.
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, five rescue workers were killed while responding to a fire triggered by a Russian strike, officials said. The deaths highlighted the growing risks faced by emergency responders who often become secondary targets while carrying out rescue operations.
Several other rescue personnel were reportedly injured during the incident. Emergency services described the attack as one of the deadliest recent incidents involving first responders.
Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has remained a frequent target of missile, drone, and artillery attacks since the beginning of the war. Local authorities said residential areas and public infrastructure suffered additional damage during Monday’s assault.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, authorities reported additional casualties, bringing the nationwide death toll to at least 11. President Zelensky said that a total of 53 people were injured across the country.
The attacks came amid a broader escalation in long-range strikes between Russia and Ukraine. Both nations have increasingly relied on drones and missiles to target military, industrial, and infrastructure sites far from the front lines.
While Ukraine dealt with the aftermath of the Russian strikes, Russian officials reported casualties from a Ukrainian drone attack in the city of Tula. Local authorities said three people were killed and three others injured, including a one-year-old child.
Emergency services in Tula responded to fires and structural damage caused by the drone strike. Russian officials condemned the attack and accused Ukraine of targeting civilians.
The exchange of attacks reflects the continuing intensity of the conflict, which has increasingly expanded beyond battlefield engagements to include strikes on cities, infrastructure, and strategic facilities.
The Dormition Cathedral, one of the most significant religious structures in Ukraine, became a focal point of international attention following the attack. Dating back to the 11th century, the cathedral is regarded as an important symbol of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Religious leaders and cultural organizations expressed concern over the damage, warning that the destruction of historic landmarks represents a long-term loss that extends beyond military objectives. Preservation experts have previously cautioned that ongoing hostilities place many heritage sites at risk.
The latest strikes also renewed concerns about the humanitarian impact of the war. Damage to power infrastructure has repeatedly left civilians facing disruptions to electricity, heating, and essential services. Ukrainian authorities have spent months attempting to strengthen defenses around critical facilities, but large-scale attacks continue to pose significant challenges.
International partners have continued to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and military assistance aimed at reducing the effectiveness of Russian missile and drone campaigns. Ukrainian officials argue that additional support remains necessary to protect cities and civilian populations.
As rescue operations continued in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other affected regions, officials warned that casualty figures could rise as crews searched damaged buildings and assessed the full scale of destruction.
The latest attacks serve as another reminder of the war’s devastating toll on both civilian lives and cultural heritage, as Ukraine and Russia continue a conflict that shows little sign of easing despite repeated international calls for peace.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members