Ukraine’s Saint Sophia: A medieval marvel caught in Russia’s war

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, a UNESCO World Heritage site, faces new threats as Russia's war in Ukraine continues. The 11th-century masterpiece, built to rival Constantinople's Hagia Sofia, has already suffered damage from a Russian air strike.
UNESCO has placed it, along with two other Ukrainian sites, on its list of World Heritage in Danger. Despite the challenges, conservators are working to protect the cathedral, installing seismic sensors to monitor vibrations from potential attacks.
The cathedral stands as a testament to the shared cultural heritage of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, rooted in the medieval Kyivan Rus' civilisation.
Its current predicament highlights the tragic irony of conflict between nations whose histories are so deeply intertwined. As the war rages on, Saint Sophia's future hangs in the balance, its preservation a poignant reminder of the cultural cost of modern warfare.

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports from Kyiv, Ukraine.

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Post from Al Jazeera on July 13, 2025

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