Ukrainian Orthodox monastery damaged by Russian shell

 Orthodox monastery in eastern Ukraine was heavily damaged after barely escaping a direct hit from an explosive

A centuries-old Ukrainian Orthodox monastery in eastern Ukraine was heavily damaged after barely escaping a direct hit from an explosive shell, according to a statement from the church, Qazet.az reports.

On the evening of 12 March, an aerial bomb exploded near a bridge by the Sviatohirsk Lavra, in Donetsk, destroying almost all of the windows at the monastery and damaging several buildings.

Multiple people, including monks and evacuees sheltering inside, were wounded and transported to hospital. There were no reported deaths.

The monastery cellars are now housing some 520 refugees, according to online newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda. About 200 are children.