[REGNUM.RU] A powerful hurricane blew off the dome and cross from the 200-year-old Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in the village of Bolshoy Kuyash in the Chelyabinsk Region. The church reported this on social media on June 23.
The falling structures also damaged sections of the wrought-iron fence surrounding the area and partially destroyed the supporting posts. There were no injuries among local residents or church staff.
Church staff have appealed to all concerned citizens to help clear the courtyard and remove debris.
"The breach in the roof must be urgently sealed to prevent water from getting inside during rain," the statement said.
The statement also stated that specialized specialists had already been brought to the site to conduct a detailed assessment of the damage caused by the disaster. Following their inspection, the experts decided to restore the original dome and cross rather than commission a new one.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in the village of Bolshoy Kuyash officially holds the status of a federal architectural monument. In 2012, exactly 200 years since the laying of its foundation stone was celebrated.
On June 22, a state of emergency was declared in the city of Kushva in the Sverdlovsk region following a hurricane. According to preliminary reports, the roofs of 89 private homes, a kindergarten, and a school were damaged.
The Sverdlovsk Region's Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that a powerful tornado knocked out power to more than 4,000 homes in the region. In addition to Kushva, the tornado affected parts of Verkhnyaya Tura and Novaya Lyalya. Sixteen people sought medical attention.