The Primate of the OCU, Epifaniy, expressed gratitude to the rescue workers, medical personnel, and all those assisting the victims and addressing the aftermath of the nighttime shelling in Kyiv.
"Like many residents of Kyiv, I also spent the night in a shelter, listening to the terrifying sounds of explosions. But morning has come, and for that, we give thanks first and foremost to God and our defenders.
The Ukrainian defense forces are accomplishing the impossible — only a small fraction of the enemy's arsenal is reaching its deadly target. May God bless our defenders with success; we bow in gratitude and offer our eternal thanks.
We also express our gratitude to the rescuers, medical workers, and everyone helping the victims and dealing with the aftermath of the shelling," Metropolitan Epifaniy noted.
The Primate of the OCU addressed the supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate. "And one more word on this terrible morning — to all who will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy in churches this Sunday and will commemorate Russian Patriarch Gundyaev as their 'great lord and father': Do you not feel, as you utter his name and glorify him — he who blessed this terrible shelling and called this war 'holy' — the taste of blood and ashes on your lips?
"May the Lord help us all to endure these trying days, grant a speedy recovery to the wounded, and give rest to the souls of the fallen. May He destroy the Russian empire of evil and strike down all those responsible for this suffering by shedding the blood of the innocent," the primate emphasized.
On the night of May 24, Russia launched another massive attack on Kyiv that lasted more than four hours. According to police reports, all districts of Kyiv were affected. At least two people were killed, and at least 56 were injured, including two children. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported damage at 40 locations.
Twenty-eight of the injured required hospitalization. As of 9:30 a.m., rescue workers were still clearing debris at some sites. The victims included women aged 82 and 46, as reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General. Additionally, twenty-seven high-rise buildings sustained damage.