Russian Strikes Kill 11 in Ukraine, Damage Kyiv Cathedral
Quick Look
- At least 11 people were killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine, including damage to the 11th Century Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv.
- Ukraine reported drone attacks in Russia's Tula city, killing three.
- President Zelensky condemned the attack on the cathedral as a crime against Christian culture.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Russia launched a wave of strikes on Ukraine, causing casualties and damaging a major religious landmark. Ukraine reported drone attacks in Russia.
At least 11 people have been killed in a wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine that set a major religious landmark in Kyiv on fire, President Volodymyr Zelensky says.
Four people were killed in attacks on the Ukrainian capital, while five rescue workers died trying to put out a fire caused by a strike on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, officials said.
The 11th Century Dormition Cathedral was significantly damaged in what Zelensky called "one of the biggest Russian crimes against Christian culture today". Russia denied hitting the site.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian city of Tula killed three people and wounded three others, including a one-year-old, local officials said.
Drone and missile strikes set fire to buildings and cars and left more than 140,000 people in Kyiv without electricity, its Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
The Kyiv strikes, which targeted several residential buildings, left at least 23 people wounded, while five others were wounded in Kharkiv.
The Dormition Cathedral is part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an architectural ensemble of monastic buildings declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
A gaping hole could be seen on one side of the church, with flames visible from the partially destroyed roof.
Zelensky said Russia launched a total of 70 missiles and 611 drones in the overnight attack, and that the fire had since been extinguished.
"Nothing justifies this attack on our universal heritage," he said on X.
The strikes come ahead of a G7 meeting of world leaders this week in France, where the war in Ukraine is on the agenda.
Zelensky said the meeting's response should be "decisive and meaningful: more pressure on the aggressor, more assistance to Ukraine with air defense, primarily with anti-ballistic missiles".
The Ukrainian leader earlier said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump about efforts to end the long-running conflict.
Russia said a US-manufactured Patriot air defence missile had hit the cathedral, possibly after misfiring. It did not provide evidence to support its claim.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
G7 leaders will call for increased air defense for Ukraine.
Likely · Within days
Russia will deny responsibility for further civilian casualties.
Very likely · Ongoing
Open Questions
- Was the cathedral intentionally targeted by Russia?
- What is the full extent of damage to the cathedral?
- Will the G7 meeting lead to decisive action against Russia?
