Several churches damaged by shelling in Russia and occupied territories

St. Nicholas and St. Basil Monastery. Photo: Donbass Orthodox

Several Orthodox churches in Russia and Russian-occupied territories sustained serious damage in drone attacks over the course of several days, the Parishes portal reports. Damage was recorded in four regions within three days. According to the outlet, the drones belonged to Ukraine.

On the night of September 7, a drone struck the dome of St. Nicholas Church in the village of Mashkovo-Surena in the Tambov region. The cupola and bell tower windows were damaged, along with the windows in the drum of the central dome. No one was injured, and the church’s sacred objects remained intact.

That same night, the Dormition St. Nicholas and St. Basil Monastery in the village of Nikolske, on the territory of the so-called “DPR,” also came under attack. A series of drone strikes hit the monastery grounds, damaging buildings that had only recently begun to be restored after earlier destruction. No monks or civilians were injured.

On September 7, two churches were damaged in the Zaporizhzhia region. In the village of Novoukrainka, a drone destroyed the roof, air-conditioning unit and canopy of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Healer.” In Enerhodar, the cupola, windows and drum facade of the Epiphany Church were damaged.

On the night of September 9, the roof and cupolas of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Novorossiysk were seriously damaged. The church interior and icons, however, remained intact.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Dormition St. Nicholas and St. Basil Monastery has also suffered damage from shelling. Located near the front line since 2022, the monastery has repeatedly come under attack, resulting in deaths and the destruction of church buildings.

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