KYIV, Ukraine — A massive Russian military assault on Ukraine on Monday left a trail of destruction, including a devastating fire at one of the nation’s most cherished religious sites and the deaths of rescue workers responding to the attacks.
The Dormition Cathedral at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — a sprawling monastic complex known for its golden domes and commonly referred to as the Monastery of the Caves — was engulfed in flames and thick smoke. Associated Press photographers on the scene captured images of firefighters working to contain the blaze while members of the clergy watched helplessly or rushed to remove valuable items from the historic, centuries-old complex.
In the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, the Russian strikes proved fatal for rescue workers who had responded to the scene. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the country’s capital, many residents were wounded and others sought safety by taking shelter underground as the attacks continued.
This report is based on a photo gallery assembled by Associated Press photo editors documenting the destruction across Ukraine.
