Russian airstrikes on 24 January struck the historic Lavra of the St. Pater monastery in Kiev, the first time since World War II that the site has been hit. Ukrainian officials said the bombing damaged windows and plaster on two monastery buildings, part of a complex listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Monastery director Maksim Ostapenko blamed Moscow for the attack, noting that similar strikes occurred in 1918 and 1941 under Soviet orders. In the same period, Russian forces intensified attacks in Donbas, with Ukrainian General Oleksandr Sirskyi warning of increased pressure on Pokrovsk. Casualties in the eastern regions rose, with at least three civilians killed and dozens injured by drone attacks. Ukrainian military reports claim Russia has lost over a million troops since the 2022 invasion and dozens of equipment units in the last 24 hours. The strike on the Lavra highlights the ongoing war’s impact on cultural heritage and civilian life.

Original article can be found here.