A Russian barrage in Ukraine kills 11 and damages a sacred landmark, officials say

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a Russian barrage of hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles struck Kyiv and Kharkiv early Monday, killing 11 civilians and wounding 53. The attack targeted civilian sites, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century monastery complex considered one of the oldest and most sacred landmarks in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Five civilians died in Kyiv, where two children aged 5 and 6 were among the wounded, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko and Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s Military Administration. The strikes hit multiple areas in Kyiv, including a 25-story apartment building, a market, and a grocery store, which all caught fire. A nine-story residential building in the Obolonskyi district took a direct hit. Emergency services responded to the explosions, which were heard across the city as residents sought shelter underground. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted defense and industrial facilities producing components for long-range drones and cruise missiles. Among the sites hit was a workshop at the Dovzhenko film studios in Kyiv, which allegedly manufactured medium- and long-range drones. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as evidence of Russia’s intent to prolong the war and urged G7 leaders to impose stronger pressure on Moscow. He proposed a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G7 summit in France, though the Kremlin did not respond. Zelenskyy also emphasized the need for enhanced air defense support, particularly anti-ballistic capabilities. The attack occurred following a phone call between Zelenskyy and Putin, mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The war in Ukraine is set to be discussed at the G7 summit in France, where Zelenskyy will address world leaders amid growing international concerns over the conflict.