Fire damages historic Kyiv cathedral after Russia's overnight missile strike

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on several Ukrainian cities overnight, striking Kyiv and setting fire to the roof of the Dormition Cathedral in the Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ukrainian military officials said 70 missiles and 611 drones were launched, with air defenses intercepting 50 missiles and 582 drones. The attack resulted in at least nine fatalities and numerous injuries.

"Kyiv is under the main strike. There is significant destruction of civilian infrastructure," Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said.

"There are strikes reported in three districts of Kyiv, with at least 23 people injured," Mayor Vitali Klitschko added.

The blaze created a visible hole in the cathedral’s roof, and officials described the damage as severe. Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said the strike hit the "heart of one of the largest Christian shrines," while Metropolitan Epiphanius of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine condemned the attack as a crime against humanity.

Russia denied targeting the historic monastery, with the Foreign Ministry labeling the accusation as fabricated and attributing any damage to a malfunctioning Patriot air-defence missile. The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed the strikes were aimed at military facilities.

In Kharkiv, five rescue workers were killed while fighting fires, and at least nine others were wounded, according to Interior Minister Klymenko. The attacks also disrupted electricity for roughly 140,000 Kyiv residents.

Separately, Russian authorities reported a Ukrainian drone strike on the city of Tula, south of Moscow, that killed three people and injured three others.

Both sides continue to deny intentional attacks on civilian infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.