Ukraine-Russia war latest: Historic Kyiv cathedral on fire after Russian strike as Trump offers to end war
Russian forces have attacked and set ablaze Ukraine’s monastic complex Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks, in an overnight attack.
Photos of the attack showed the cathedral’s central part and the roof of the Dormition Cathedral in the Ukrainian capital on fire as rescue services rushed to douse the blaze.
Kyiv military administration head Tymur Tkachenko said the damage at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was substantial and a serious fire had broken out as he accused Russia of deliberately striking “the heart of one of the largest Christian shrines”.
The overnight strikes also killed five in Kharkiv and wounded at least 20 others, as Russian attacks pounded other parts of the war-hit nation.
Earlier, Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Vladimir Putin, telling him that ending the conflict in Ukraine was vital and he is ready to help.
Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders spoke for just under an hour yesterday, as the US president said he was ready to act with European partners and Kyiv.
He also quoted Trump as saying that a rapid resolution would allow “perspectives to open for a new quality of US-Russian relations”.
