Russian Forces Launch Fierce Assault on Ukraine, Killing 9; Kyiv World Heritage Religious Site Damaged

Russian forces launched air raids on multiple major Ukrainian cities, engulfing Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral in flames and killing at least 9 people. Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks on regions south of Moscow resulted in 3 fatalities.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 70 missiles and 611 drones, primarily targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 50 missiles and 582 drones.

The attacks occurred as news emerged of a U.S.-Iran agreement, offering hope for peace in the Middle East and highlighting the protracted nature of the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that five rescuers died while extinguishing fires following a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.

Klymenko and Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov reported that at least nine others were injured.

In the capital Kyiv, four people were killed, and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, caught fire.

An AFP journalist on site reported over a dozen fire trucks surrounding the Dormition Cathedral, with a large hole visible on one side of the building and flames erupting from the roof. Firefighters continued efforts from inside the structure and from aerial platforms.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture stated that Russian attacks on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex in January had already damaged several buildings.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, condemned the attack as a "direct strike" on the monastery.

AFP reporters witnessed residents rushing to shelters as air defense systems intercepted missiles in the night sky and burning debris fell across the city.

Approximately 140,000 residents in northern Kyiv were left without power, and at least 25 people were injured.

Dnipro, the capital of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, was also attacked, leaving two people injured.

Oleg Grygorov, military head of Sumy Oblast, reported three injuries in the northeastern part of the region, including one child.

On the other side, Tula Oblast Governor Dmitry Milyaev said Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Tula, about 200 kilometers south of Moscow, killing three people and injuring three others.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin both called U.S. President Donald Trump today to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stated on social media X that they discussed "matters conducive to immediate peace." The Kremlin said Putin and Trump focused on Ukraine peace negotiations and U.S.-Iran issues.

The conflict, which erupted in February 2022, has evolved into the largest war in Europe since World War II, claiming thousands of civilian lives and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. (Translated by Liu Wen-yu) 1150615