Russian overnight attack damages Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral and Odesa Film Studio – photos
The Russian attack on the night of 9-10 June has damaged the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the Odesa Film Studio.
Source: Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, on Facebook; press service for the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications
Quote: "Tonight, the enemy struck again at the very heart of our identity. Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv – a shrine that has survived for centuries and symbolises the birth of our statehood – has been damaged. The shockwave caused the destruction of a cornice on the main apse of this monument of national importance. This 11th-century church is the soul of all Ukraine."
Details: Conservation experts from the cathedral, alongside an investigation team from the Shevchenkivskyi district police department, have conducted a visual examination of the site and recorded its condition. No damage was caused to the interior. However, any vibration loads caused by explosions may threaten the integrity of the cathedral’s structures, which remain at high risk due to Russia’s regular large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s capital.
The Odesa Film Studio, one of the oldest filmmaking centres in Europe, was also damaged. The set for Dovzhenko, a film about the renowned Ukrainian director, has been completely destroyed.
The fire that broke out was extinguished thanks to the prompt actions of the security team, and most of the unique artefacts were saved. There were no casualties among the staff. However, Odesa’s civilian infrastructure was also affected, including residential buildings and medical facilities, and one film studio employee lost their home that night.
Background: Four people were injured in the large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 9-10 June. In addition, residential buildings, a business centre, warehouses and a railway were damaged, cars were destroyed, and around 10 fires broke out, some of which are still being extinguished.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
