A Russian overnight airstrike on Kyiv has damaged the Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of Ukraine’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The blast wave from the June 10 attack destroyed the cornice of the cathedral’s central apse.
“Last night, the enemy struck at the very heart of our identity again,” said Ukraine’s Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi.
Calling the 11th-century cathedral “the soul of all Ukraine,” he accused Russia of waging war not only against cities, but “against our culture, memory and future.”
Saint Sophia Cathedral’s management has notified UNESCO of the damage. The cathedral, designed to rival Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, is renowned for its extensive 11th-century mosaics and frescoes. It has been on UNESCO’s danger list since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The June 10 attack involved 322 aerial units, including 315 drones and seven missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defences intercepted 284 of them, including all missiles.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the Kyiv and Odesa regions were hardest hit, with 19 fires breaking out.
In Odesa, a residential building was struck, killing two and injuring nine. A maternity hospital, first aid station, and business were also damaged.
In Kyiv, four people were injured, with damage reported in Darnytsia, Obolon, Shevchenko, and Holosiiv districts.
Source: euronews
