Russian attack sets fire to centuries-old religious site in Kyiv and kills 5 in Kharkiv

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine killed five rescuers in Kharkiv and wounded at least 20 people in the capital Kyiv on Monday as strikes set apartment buildings ablaze and sparked a fire at one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks.

The rescuers were killed in Kharkiv by a second Russian strike as they fought a blaze caused by an earlier attack, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. At least five other emergency workers were wounded.

A series of powerful explosions echoed across Kyiv, with a wave of ballistic missiles followed by Shahed drones as many people sought shelter underground and officials urged residents to take cover.

“Kyiv is under the main strike. There is significant destruction of civilian infrastructure,” Klymenko said.

Twenty people, including a child, sought medical help in the capital, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Five strikes hit civilian sites in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district in less than 30 minutes, he said, including a 25-story apartment building, while a market and a grocery store caught fire. In the Obolonskyi district, a nine-story residential building took a direct hit.

Tkachenko accused Russia of striking apartment blocks on purpose.

“This is their deliberate decision,” he said.

Damage at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a monastic complex, was substantial and a serious fire had broken out, said Tkachenko, who accused Russia of deliberately striking “the heart of one of the largest Christian shrines.”

The roof of the Dormition Cathedral caught fire during the overnight attack, said Metropolitan Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He condemned the strike as another Russian crime “against humanity, against history, against Christianity” and appealed for prayers to save the site.

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, is a sprawling complex of monasteries and churches, including some underground, built from the 11th to the 19th century. Some of the churches at the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site are connected by a labyrinthine complex of caves spanning more than 600 meters (2,000 feet).

The cathedral, churches and other buildings overlook the right bank of the Dnipro River and have been a pilgrimage site for centuries.

An explosion of a Russian drone is seen on the horizon in front of the Mother Motherland monument of Second World War during a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Rescue workers put out a fire of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves during a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Rescue workers try to put out a fire at the Dormition Cathedral of thousand-year-old Monastery of Caves, also known as Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, following a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

The roof of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is on fire during the overnight Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

The roof of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra burns, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights’ improbable run through the Stanley Cup Final came to a crashing halt Sunday night with a 3-0 loss to Carolina in Game 6.

Vegas, which has been to the Cup final three times in its nine-year existence, had never been shutout in a Stanley Cup Final game.

In all three trips to the final, the champion celebrated on the Golden Knights' home ice.

In Vegas' first year, it was Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals celebrating after winning in five games. In 2023, the Knights won the Cup in just their sixth year, beating the Florida Panthers in five games.

Sunday, it was the Hurricanes who stormed into T-Mobile Arena and dominated behind the stellar play of goalie Brandon Bussi.

As the Hurricanes raced from the bench to celebrate, several thousand Carolina fans in attendance cheered them on.

For Vegas, it was the end of a magical ride that began on March 30, when John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach, with hopes of sparking life into one of the league’s most talented lineups, but one that had lost its spark.

The Knights opened the Cup final with a 2-1 series lead, but Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour switched goaltenders — from Frederik Andersen to Brandon Bussi — and it proved to be the difference.

Meanwhile, Tortorella stood firm on his goalie choice, Carter Hart, in favor of Adin Hill, the starting goaltender when Vegas won the Cup three years earlier.

Hart became the first goalie in NHL history to allow at least four goals in the first five games of a Stanley Cup Final, and saw his save percentage go from .922 through the first three rounds to .826 against the Hurricanes.

As the Golden Knights head into the offseason, the first order of business for general manager Kelly McCrimmon will be to determine whether or not to retain Tortorella for a long-term contract or move on to what would be the team’s fifth coach in 10 seasons.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) stops a shot from Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during the first period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) reaches for the puck next to Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker (26) during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) is defended by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stops a shot on goal during the third period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights players watch from the bench during the third period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)