At the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Assumption Cathedral is being prepared for winter after sustaining ₴500 million in damage following an attack by the Russian Federation
Preparatory work is underway at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to preserve the roof of the Assumption Cathedral in order to protect the historic site from winter precipitation following damage caused by Russian shelling.
“Significant preparatory work is currently underway to create a protective structure that will withstand the winter, because the Cathedral of the Dormition has a very complex configuration and temporary structures would not be able to support the heavy weight of snow. This could cause even greater damage to the cathedral. Therefore, a structure must be built to protect these specific surfaces of the Assumption Cathedral from winter precipitation,” Ostapenko said.
According to him, specialists from the reserve, architects, and experts from Lviv Polytechnic National University are working on the project. In addition, philanthropists have joined the restoration effort by providing building materials, as have specialists from DTEK, who are assisting with the restoration of the power supply.
The damage caused to the Assumption Cathedral by Russian shelling is preliminarily estimated at over 500 million hryvnias. However, the final cost of the restoration will be determined after the damage assessment is completed and the design and cost estimate documentation is developed.
“This issue is still under review; such complex structures, which were damaged during hostilities, will require significant funds. Design and cost estimate documentation must be developed and must pass all stages of expert review, and only then will the final cost of the reconstruction be determined. At present, we estimate that the damage amounts to at least 500 million hryvnias. For now, we will be assessing the artwork and interior elements that need to be restored, and this will also be included in the restoration project,” noted the reserve’s director general.
Maksym Ostapenko reported that several international organizations have already offered assistance, and UNESCO will coordinate the international support.
He also noted that this year the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is celebrating the 975th anniversary of its founding. To mark this occasion, the President of Ukraine signed a decree authorizing commemorative events.
“This date is highly symbolic, as there is a quarter of a century left until the Lavra’s millennium. And for sites that are national shrines, preparations for such dates begin decades in advance,” Ostapenko concluded.
This was announced by Maksym Ostapenko, Director General of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve partially resumed welcoming visitors on June 19 after several days of emergency rescue and disaster response operations.
As a reminder, Russia attacked the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, causing a fire.
Prior to that, Russian drones struck the Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in injuries.
As a result of the Russian attack on Kharkiv, five rescuers from the State Emergency Service were killed.
