The direct Russian attack on the Church of St. John the Baptist in Kramatorsk, Donetsk

Russia continues its systematic attacks against civilian targets in Ukraine, including places of worship of various religions.

The silence of some Christians regarding the constant Russian attacks on churches
Russia has attacked nearly 600 Christian churches in Ukraine: what propagandists are keeping quiet about

Yesterday, at 8:25 PM CET, the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC) reported: "On September 22, 2026, photos and videos circulated online showing the aftermath of another Russian attack on Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region. As a result, the church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist was damaged. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the Russian Orthodox Church, citing local sources."

The statement adds: "Images taken after the accident show severe damage to the walls, roof, and dome. The building's metal structure was twisted by the blast wave, and the entire area was covered in debris. It is currently unknown whether there are any casualties among those who may have been inside the sanctuary or in the immediate vicinity."

The UOC has released these three images of the attacked church. In the first one, we see the church shrouded in smoke and dust after being hit by a direct Russian attack. In the second photo, shown above, we see the church—now clear of smoke and dust—revealing the visible effects of the attack. In the third photo (below), we see some of the debris caused by the blast.

Yesterday, at 16:11, the Kramatorsk Oblast Police reported: "The enemy attacked Kramatorsk with four FAB-250 bombs equipped with UMPK glide kits. Impacts were recorded in the old part of the city. A 58-year-old man died in the attack. Two people were injured: a 53-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. Fifty-four private homes, infrastructure facilities, and a vehicle sustained damage. An investigative team, paramedics, and explosive ordnance disposal specialists worked at the scene of the attack."

Краматорськ, Донецька область. Російські нацисти зруйнували церкву. pic.twitter.com/pN7kyQ4y7Y

— Сергій Погребецький (@pogrebeckij) September 22, 2026

Yesterday, at 17:27 CET, Bohdan Zuyakov, a rescuer from Kramatorsk, posted this video of the recently attacked church, noting that it had sustained a "direct hit." Below, you can see an aerial view of the attacked church. The image was posted by Zuyakov on his Instagram account.

The UOC Diocese of Horlivka and Sloviansk notes that the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist—the official name of the church attacked by Russian forces yesterday—was built in 2004 and served a community of over 300 parishioners: "The church's dome was crafted by local artisans. The parish community provides spiritual support to an orphanage. Regular religious services are held for the orphans, and baptisms are performed. Children without parental care find godparents among the parishioners."

This attack is not an isolated incident. It is not even the first attack on a church in Kramatorsk in recent months. On August 11, Russian invaders destroyed the Alexander Nevsky Church in Kramatorsk, an Orthodox church that also belonged to the UOC. The attack was carried out using a drone. Below, you can see the aftermath of that attack, which destroyed a church whose construction began in 1908 and which was consecrated in 1909.

Russian forces destroyed the Alexander Nevsky church in Kramatorsk, a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate

It is the same church branch Moscow claimed to be protecting
🎥 Tsaplienko pic.twitter.com/JCsYzgBJ2O

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 12, 2026

Attacks on these churches represent another "major military success" for dictator Vladimir Putin —whose occupation forces have attacked over 600 Christian churches and buildings in Ukraine, the vast majority being Orthodox churches (Orthodox Christianity is the country's majority religion, and religious observance rates are very high). The Kremlin attempts to offset its military failures in Ukraine by attacking civilian targets—including churches—as part of a strategy of destruction and terror against the Ukrainian population.

Most striking in this regard is the deafening silence surrounding these attacks from certain Christians who view Moscow as the "Third Rome" and regard a mass criminal like Vladimir Putin—responsible for countless atrocities against Ukrainian civilians, including children and infants—as a great defender of Christian values, when in reality he acts in a purely diabolical manner.