On Good Friday, April 3, 2026, Russian forces attacked two Ukrainian Orthodox churches: the Cathedral of the Intercession of St. Nicholas in Druzhkivka and the Greek-Sophia Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kherson.
The Kherson church had previously been attacked in July 2025, when a fire caused extensive damage to its grounds and nearby buildings. Both churches suffered significant destruction-Druzhkivka Cathedral was partially destroyed, while the roof, dome, and chapel of the Kherson church were struck by projectiles, injuring the rector’s wife.
These attacks are part of a broader pattern of assaults on Christian religious buildings in Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian government, nearly 600 Christian churches have been targeted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with Orthodox churches bearing the brunt of the damage.
Source: outono