‘They Struck at the Heart of Our Identity’: Russian Attack Damages Kyiv’s St. Sophia Cathedral

A historic symbol of Ukraine, St. Sophia Cathedral, was damaged overnight as a result of one of the largest Russian air attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday.

Officials reported that a blast wave destroyed the cornice on the main apse of the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Ukraine’s most important monuments. The cathedral, which has stood for nearly a thousand years, has been under constant threat since the war began.

The cathedral dates back to the early 11th century, shortly after Kyivan Rus was baptized by Prince Volodymyr the Great in 988. It was the heart and soul of Kyiv after Christianity was introduced and has remained the very center of Ukraine – physically and spiritually – to this day. During the communist period the cathedral was turned into a museum.

“Last night, the enemy struck at the very heart of our identity again,” said Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi.

“St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, a shrine that has survived centuries and symbolizes the birth of our statehood, has been damaged. This 11th-century temple is the soul of the whole of Ukraine,” Torchytskyi wrote on Facebook.

The attack was part of a massive overnight assault on Kyiv, with drones and missiles striking several districts. Fires broke out, cars burned, and at least four people were injured. Debris from downed drones fell across the city, damaging homes, schools, and other sites.

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Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov warned that Kyiv has only a limited window to capitalize on those gains before Russia adapts.

In Odesa, Russian drones also hit civilian targets, including the Odesa Film Studio and a maternity hospital. Two people were killed and nine injured in the southern port city.

“Russia is not only at war with our cities, it is waging a war against our culture, memory, and future,” Torchytskyi said.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched more than 300 drones and several missiles during the night. Air defenses shot down all the missiles and most of the drones, but falling debris still caused widespread damage.

St. Sophia Cathedral has been on the UN’s list of World Heritage sites in danger since 2023 because of the ongoing war. Ukrainian officials and international organizations have warned that repeated attacks put the nation’s cultural treasures at risk of destruction.

The latest strikes underscore the growing toll of Russia’s war not only on Ukraine’s people, but also on its history and identity.