A new incident involving an attack on cultural heritage has occurred in Kherson. Russian unmanned aerial vehicles struck the Holy Spirit Cathedral. As a result of the attack, the church building and adjacent premises sustained damage.
The information about the incident was confirmed by the Kherson Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The statement indicates that the attack was carried out by "Molniya" type UAVs, which delivered a fire strike directly onto the church grounds.
Consequences of the strike
Preliminary data suggests that the impact affected not only the cathedral walls but also nearby residential houses. Reports mention shattered windows and structural damage. Currently, there is no information about casualties.
The Holy Spirit Cathedral, also known as the Pryvoz Church, is one of the oldest and most significant architectural monuments in Kherson. The church was built in the style of strict classicism according to the project of the gubernatorial architect Ivan Yaroslavsky. Construction began in 1810 and stretched over more than three decades due to a lack of funding. The main altar was consecrated only in 1836.
History of attacks on the church
This is not the first time a historical monument has been shelled during the war. In 1962, after the closure of other major churches in the city, the Holy Spirit Church received the status of a cathedral. However, in recent years, it has become a target for Russian attacks.
Specifically, on September 10, 2023, the facade, entrance group, and utility rooms of the cathedral were damaged as a result of shelling. Less than a month later, on the night of October 2, 2023, the diocesan administration building and the cathedral itself were struck again. At that time, the sacristy, facade, and windows were damaged.
Destruction of churches in the region
The situation regarding the destruction of religious buildings in the Kherson region is causing serious concern. Earlier, there were reports of the complete destruction of the Holy Transfiguration Church in Beryslav. This 18th-century church, built in 1726 without the use of metal nails, survived several centuries and wars, but was burned down as a result of a Russian strike.
Similar losses were suffered by the Sumy region, where Russian troops destroyed the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Yunakivka. This was a 200-year-old architectural monument, considered one of the best examples of early classicism in Ukraine.
