Russia carried out a large wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine overnight, killing at least 11 people and damaging a prominent religious religious site, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and officials said on Monday.
Officials said hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles hit Ukraine’s major cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv. The attacks came shortly after separate phone calls between US President Donald Trump and both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising hopes that diplomatic efforts may continue.
The strikes are also expected to be discussed at the G7 summit in France, where Zelenskyy and Trump are likely to attend. The Ukrainian president said he will urge world leaders to maintain pressure on Russia and strengthen Ukraine’s air defence systems.
Zelenskyy said the attacks show Russia’s intention to continue the war. “It is very important that there be a response from the G7 countries ... and that this response be decisive and substantive; more pressure on the aggressor and more support for Ukraine's air defence, especially anti-ballistic capabilities,” the Ukrainian leader said.
He also said 11 civilians and emergency workers were killed and 53 people injured across Ukraine. In Kyiv alone, five people died, according to city officials, and many others were wounded, including children.
Explosions were reported across Kyiv as ballistic missiles and drones struck the city. Many residents took shelter underground as smoke spread across the capital.
Officials said several residential and civilian areas were hit in Kyiv, including apartment buildings, markets, and shops. Some buildings caught fire after being struck.
Russia’s defence ministry said its strikes targeted Ukraine’s defence and industrial facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. It claimed it hit sites producing drones, missiles, and other military equipment.
It also said it struck facilities including drone production workshops and industrial plants in Kyiv. These claims could not be independently verified. Authorities reported that a religious complex in Kyiv, the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, was damaged in the attacks.
The roof of the Dormition Cathedral caught fire, according to religious leaders. The site is one of Ukraine’s most important Orthodox landmarks and is considered a major cultural and spiritual heritage site.
Religious leaders condemned the attack and called it an act against history, culture, and faith. They appealed for prayers and support to protect the site.
President Zelenskyy called the damage a serious attack on religious heritage and visited the site along with government officials.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, is a centuries-old religious complex and a UNESCO World Heritage site with underground caves and historic churches.
French officials compared the damage to an attack on a major cultural landmark in Europe, highlighting its significance. French President Emmanuel Macron said the attack reinforces the need for continued international pressure on Russia and efforts toward a ceasefire.
Also read: Putin admits damage to Russian economy, energy sector
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