TheAltWorld Why did Kiev forces attack the monastery and cathedral at Ugledar?
If Ukraine’s fight is against Russia, then why are Ukrainian forces targeting churches, especially historic ones like the cathedral of Saint Nicolay and Vasili?
During the long battle for the strategic coal town of Ugledar/Vuhledar, in western Donetsk, Kiev forces were not only battling the Russian military, they launched repeated attacks on the ancient monastery and cathedral of Saint Nicolay and Vasili.
But why? My Russian friend, academic and journalist Andrey Afanasyev, took me on a visit to the monastery in mid-November, just a few weeks after Russian forces had taken Ugledar.
Andrey and many of his colleagues from Donetsk, all staunch Orthodox Christians, were taken by the fact that, in scenes of great destruction in and around the cathedral, most of the crosses and precious stained glass icons remained intact. This was beyond coincidence to them, rather a sign of divine protection.
Yet many of the buildings and most of the windows were smashed. Monks told us that seven members of their community had been killed and 13 more seriously wounded.
Even as they buried their friends, Ukraine fire was launched at them, forcing them to seek shelter in the graves they had just dug. A white tower in Ugledar town provided a direct line of sight to the Cathedral and Monastery grounds.
During the long battle for the strategic coal town of Ugledar/Vuhledar, in western Donetsk, Kiev forces were not only battling the Russian military, they launched repeated attacks on the ancient monastery and cathedral of Saint Nicolay and Vasili.
But why? My Russian friend, academic and journalist Andrey Afanasyev, took me on a visit to the monastery in mid-November, just a few weeks after Russian forces had taken Ugledar.
Andrey and many of his colleagues from Donetsk, all staunch Orthodox Christians, were taken by the fact that, in scenes of great destruction in and around the cathedral, most of the crosses and precious stained glass icons remained intact. This was beyond coincidence to them, rather a sign of divine protection.
Yet many of the buildings and most of the windows were smashed. Monks told us that seven members of their community had been killed and 13 more seriously wounded.
Even as they buried their friends, Ukraine fire was launched at them, forcing them to seek shelter in the graves they had just dug. A white tower in Ugledar town provided a direct line of sight to the Cathedral and Monastery grounds.
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