60 churches and synagogues in Kherson region suffered from enemy attacks

In the Kherson region, dozens of churches, synagogues, and other religious buildings have been damaged by Russian shelling. Despite the destruction, the communities continue to hold services, support people, and adapt to the war conditions.

Suspilne reported on which religious sites, including historical and architectural monuments, were damaged in the region.

According to the OVA, about 60 religious sites, including historical monuments, have already been damaged, but the communities continue to worship, help people, and adapt to the war.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Kherson suburb of Kindiytsia has been repeatedly shelled. Rector Valentyn Horokhovsky says that the church had to be closed for the first time in October 2023, and services were held in the Luchansky hospital. After the attacks decreased in May 2024, the community returned to the church, but on August 20-24, 2024, during the service, the Russians destroyed the churchyard. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Now services are held in another building, and the church is partially damaged.

The priest explains that the attacks by drones and artillery are targeted: "They are targeting people and buildings - it is not an accident."

The Kherson synagogue has also been hit twice by Russian troops, most recently on October 24, 2025. One shell stuck in the wall, another pierced the roof and went through the prayer hall to the office. Chief Rabbi Joseph Yitzhak Wolf notes that the community is repairing the premises and continuing to worship, while helping people with food, medicine, and other necessary assistance.

As of the end of October, about 60 religious buildings on the right bank of the Kherson region were damaged or destroyed. Among them are the Holy Dormition Cathedral with damaged roof, domes and windows, the German church in Zmiivka, and the church in the Bilozerska community, where the rector was killed and two employees were injured during shelling.

The head of the Department of Religious Affairs, Tetiana Karagodina, notes that due to the danger, communities are advised to limit the number of visitors to services. Clergymen can apply to the regional administration for materials for temporary repairs or preservation of damaged churches, but full restoration is not yet possible due to the difficult security situation.

Odesa and Kherson regions are also among the regions with the largest number of damaged cultural heritage sites - more than 460 monuments. Due to Russia's war against Ukraine, cultural property in the south of the country is being systematically destroyed.

Анна Бальчінос