Russia Launches Massive Air Raid on Kyiv, 13 Injured as Monastery Engulfed in Flames

Ukrainian authorities reported early this morning that Russia launched a massive air raid on the capital Kyiv, leaving 13 people injured. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a symbol of Ukraine's spiritual and cultural history, was engulfed in flames, and officials urged residents to seek shelter.

According to AFP, Kyiv came under heavy missile attacks in the early hours, with intercepted missiles exploding in the night sky and burning debris falling across the city.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the messaging app Telegram that power lines were damaged in the airstrikes, leaving approximately 140,000 residents without electricity. He also reported that several residential buildings and vehicles were hit by drone debris, igniting large fires.

Klitschko further announced that the Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex was consumed by intense flames following the Russian air raid.

"A fire has broken out within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra compound, with flames erupting from the roof of the Dormition Cathedral," Klitschko wrote on Telegram.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated on Telegram that Russian drones continue to attack Kyiv from multiple directions. Reuters reporters noted repeated explosions heard across the city.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, urged people to remain in shelters, warning that "a new wave of attacks on the capital is ongoing."

In Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, Governor Oleg Synegubov reported that a missile strike hit a region, severely injuring two people.

Oleksandr Ganzha, governor of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, said one person was injured in the regional capital Dnipro during the attacks.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on social media platform X: "This is a cruel attack on our people and cultural heritage. This is the true face of Russian Orthodox values."

Neighboring Poland announced it had scrambled fighter jets and placed ground-based air defense and radar surveillance systems on high alert.

Prior to the new wave of attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ending the war that has lasted over four years. (Translated by Liu Wen-yu) 1150615