Ukraine and Switzerland Will Jointly Rebuild the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — Zelenskyy
Ukraine and Switzerland have agreed to begin priority restoration work on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra following the Russian attack. The focus is currently on the Cathedral of the Dormition, which has sustained damage and requires urgent protection from further destruction.
Work has already begun, with the primary focus on stabilizing the building’s condition and preserving it until a full-scale restoration can take place. At the same time, efforts are underway to coordinate international aid and plan the next stages of restoration.
Following the Russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the night of June 15, Ukraine and its international partners are moving from damage assessment to practical actions aimed at preserving one of the country’s key historical and spiritual sites. This primarily concerns the Assumption Cathedral, which sustained the most damage and requires urgent structural stabilization to prevent further deterioration due to weather conditions and the passage of time.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that initial conservation work has already been completed; in particular, the cathedral’s roof has been covered to protect the building from precipitation and further damage. According to him, this is only the initial stage of a larger-scale restoration process that requires long-term planning, funding, and international participation.
It is specifically emphasized that relevant Ukrainian agencies, including the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are involved in the restoration process and are responsible for coordinating the work and international cooperation. It is through diplomatic channels that Ukraine is coordinating partners’ participation in the financing and technical support for the restoration.
During talks with the President of Switzerland, the parties agreed that Swiss partners would support priority restoration measures. Future plans also include a full-scale restoration of the complex, which is intended to restore the site to its historical appearance and ensure its long-term preservation. At the same time, the State Emergency Service and other agencies within the Ministry of Internal Affairs are working to address the aftermath of Russian attacks in various regions of the country. Separately, the National Guard, the National Police, and the Border Guard Service are coordinating their efforts to ensure security, particularly along the northern sections of the state border.
In fact, the current phase of the Lavra’s restoration combines emergency work, international coordination, and long-term restoration planning, with the key tasks being the preservation of damaged structures and preparation for the full restoration of one of the most important symbols of Ukrainian history. This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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.
