Russian strikes set fire to centuries-old religious landmark in Kyiv, killing 5 rescuers in Kharkiv, officials say

A large-scale Russian attack struck Ukraine on Monday, setting apartment buildings ablaze in Kyiv and triggering a fire at one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks, according to The Washington Times. Ukrainian emergency personnel were responding to the fires as the strikes continued.

In Kyiv, the reported casualties included at least 20 wounded, as fire spread to residential structures. The report described multiple fires resulting from the attack, with emergency services working in affected neighborhoods while authorities coordinated response efforts.

The same reporting said the attack also hit Kharkiv, where five rescuers were killed. The deaths occurred during operations to address damage and fires tied to the strikes, underscoring the danger faced by first responders during large-scale bombardments.

The fire at the religious landmark in Kyiv was described as a major incident involving a centuries-old site. Ukrainian authorities and emergency teams worked on bringing the blaze under control as the city dealt with damage across multiple locations.

The Washington Times report did not identify the landmark by name in its summary, but it characterized the location as among Ukraine’s most significant religious sites. The incident raised concerns about cultural heritage and the protection of historic properties during wartime attacks.

Officials have not been stated in the reporting summary as to the full scope of the damage, or whether additional casualties occurred beyond the figures cited for Kyiv and Kharkiv. Further official updates would typically be expected as emergency services complete their assessments and as authorities publish consolidated casualty and damage counts.

Authorities are likely to treat the deaths of rescuers in Kharkiv as a key element for public safety records, since response personnel are integral to disaster containment. The incident also places additional scrutiny on how emergency services are deployed and protected during sustained air and missile attacks.