Powerful hurricane-force winds accompanying a severe thunderstorm front in Russia’s southern Ural region have damaged one of the oldest church complexes in the Chelyabinsk Region, tearing a dome topped with a cross from a historic church building.

The incident occurred in the village of Bolshoy Kuyash in the Kunashak district, where strong overnight gusts ripped the small dome from the Church of the Nativity of Christ, located within the grounds of the larger Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.

The parish’s rector, Father Igor, reported the damage on the church’s official social media page. According to the priest, the dome was completely torn off and destroyed during the storm. The severe weather also damaged sections of the church’s wrought-iron fence and partially destroyed several brick support pillars.

“Fortunately, no one was injured,” Father Igor said.

Following the storm, parishioners and church staff quickly covered the opening left in the roof to prevent rainwater from entering the building. However, further repairs will require specialized equipment.

Church elder Nikolai Atesov said the fallen dome struck the surrounding fence and must now be removed using a crane. He added that restoring the dome in its original form is unlikely because its metal cladding suffered extensive damage. Parts of the supporting frame, however, may still be salvageable and reused during reconstruction.

Authorities and church representatives are currently assessing the full extent of the damage. Cleanup efforts have been temporarily suspended due to continuing rainfall. The parish has launched a fundraising campaign and appealed to local residents for assistance in clearing debris and restoring the damaged structures.

The church complex in Bolshoy Kuyash holds significant historical and architectural value. The smaller Church of the Nativity of Christ was built in 1807. As the local congregation grew, a larger Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin was later constructed nearby. Its construction was linked to Russia’s victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. Today, the site is recognized as an architectural monument and one of the region’s notable historical landmarks.

The damage comes amid a broader wave of severe weather across the Ural region. A powerful storm also struck the neighboring Sverdlovsk Region, where local authorities reported extensive damage in the city of Kushva. Dozens of homes were affected, power supplies were disrupted, and 15 people sought medical assistance following the storm. A state of emergency remains in effect as recovery operations continue.