#CIS #Russia – On August 23, 2026, a Ukrainian drone struck the grounds of the Holy Epiphany Cathedral in Gorlovka during a Sunday service, wounding Metropolitan Mitrofan of Gorlovka and Slavyansk and three others.
According to reports from the Moscow Patriarchate and the Gorlovka diocese, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched the attack on the cathedral’s territory in the city’s Central City district. Metropolitan Mitrofan (Nikitin), the ruling hierarch of the diocese, sustained injuries and received professional medical care. Diocesan officials stated that there was no threat to his life.
Protodeacon Roman Stepin, a cleric of the Epiphany Cathedral, along with two volunteers from the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission, Sergey Solodkov and Ekaterina Kuptsova, also suffered minor injuries. The three did not require hospitalization. Local authorities, including DPR head Denis Pushilin, described the injuries among the four victims as moderate in severity.
The strike occurred while worshippers and clergy were gathered for the service. Pushilin condemned the incident as a “heinous crime,” calling it not merely an attack but a blow against a religious shrine and those assisting civilians. He emphasized that it targeted the peaceful and defenseless.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ responded with a statement expressing deep sorrow and condolences. He said an enemy drone had attacked people during prayer, demonstrating “the lack of principle and flagrant cynicism of those who directed this criminal attack.” The patriarch noted that he had learned of the metropolitan’s wounding with particular anxiety and was praying for his recovery.
Ukrainian-language outlets reported the same details, describing Gorlovka as occupied territory and identifying Metropolitan Mitrofan as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. They noted his prior public rejection of moves by parts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate toward greater independence from Moscow, affirming that the Gorlovka diocese would remain in unity with the Russian Orthodox Church.
A separate Ukrainian drone attack in Gorlovka’s Central City district on the same day injured one civilian, according to Mayor Ivan Prikhodko. The broader region continued to face frequent drone activity amid the ongoing conflict.
Support messages from other Russian Orthodox hierarchs, including the metropolitans of Kemerovo and Tver, followed in the subsequent days, expressing solidarity with Metropolitan Mitrofan and the diocese. The Epiphany Cathedral had previously endured damage from earlier strikes during the war.
Cover Image: Metropolitan Mitrofan.
