Russian shelling hits landmark church in southern Ukraine

An exhibition of destroyed Russian military vehicles in Kyiv. Pic/AP

Russian shelling on Thursday damaged a landmark church in the city of Kherson that once held the remains of the renowned 18th-century commander who exerted Russian control through the southeast parts of modern Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

Emergency service said four of its workers were wounded in a second round of shelling as they fought the fire at St. Catherine's Cathedral. Four other people were wounded in the first shelling attack, which also hit a trolleybus. The church, dating from 1781, is one of the city's most notable buildings. It was the burial spot for Prince Grigory Potemkin, a favorite of Russian Empress Catherine the Great.

Restrictions on Norwegian envoys

Russia has added Norway to its list of "unfriendly countries" for allegedly targeting Russian diplomats abroad. The order restricts the number of local staff at the Norwegian diplomatic mission in Russia to 27. In April, Norway expelled 15 Russian diplomats after accusing them of carrying out intelligence activities under diplomatic cover. Russia retaliated by expelling 10 Norwegian diplomats.

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