Russian Missile Strike Damages Cathedral in Zaporizhzhia

On the morning of January 18, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Zaporizhzhia, causing widespread destruction across the city. Among the damaged sites was the St. Andrew’s Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), which suffered severe structural harm.

According to Ria Pivden, the cathedral sustained damage primarily due to the blast wave. The ceiling collapsed completely, and the interior, including religious icons and decorations, was heavily affected. The roof, while intact, is considered unstable. The National Police of Ukraine has released photographs documenting the extent of the destruction.

The cathedral’s rector confirmed that two individuals—a staff member and a parishioner—were inside the building at the time of the explosion. Both escaped without injuries.

In addition to the damage to the cathedral, the attack resulted in significant destruction across Zaporizhzhia. Residential buildings, industrial facilities, and commercial properties were severely impacted. Parked vehicles in the vicinity were also damaged by shrapnel and the shockwave.

As of 12:30 p.m., local authorities reported 10 confirmed injuries from the strike. Efforts to locate three individuals reported missing are ongoing, while emergency response teams continue rescue and recovery operations.