The St. Sophia of Kyiv Nature Reserve was damaged by a Russian attack
On September 4, the “Saint Sophia of Kyiv” National Reserve was damaged as a result of a Russian attack on Kyiv. According to Director General Nelya Kukovalska, the attack shattered windows in the building and destroyed the glass vestibule.
Kukovalska said the shock wave damaged the Consistory—a historic 18th–19th-century building facing Volodymyrska Street.
“Thank God, no one was hurt. The shock wave from the strike on the Security Service of Ukraine building shattered many windows in our consistory. This is an 18th–19th-century building facing Volodymyrska Street, at 24 Volodymyrska Street. The glass vestibule was completely shattered inside,” she said.
At the same time, the director of the reserve emphasized that the damage is not currently considered critical.
In the near future, the shattered windows and frames will need to be replaced.
“They’re not critical. We’ll have to find the money somewhere to replace the frames and windows—winter is coming. I think now, after the police arrived and inspected the site, we’re starting to board them up. We have enough to close it up for now, but we’ll have to figure out where to get the money,” Kukovalska noted.
Kukovalska also told reporters that an event involving the President of Ukraine was scheduled to take place at the reserve that day. It was to be the presentation of credentials by the ambassadors of four countries.
It was precisely because of this planned event that the reserve was preparing for the head of state’s visit. However, it was canceled following the attack.
“We were preparing for his arrival. Yesterday, we had ambassadors from four countries here, and we gave them a tour,” the director said.
According to her, the presentation of credentials on the reserve’s grounds has become a tradition during the full-scale war.
Before the ceremony, diplomats are introduced to the history of Ukraine and the complex’s landmarks.
At the same time, there were very few people in the reserve on the day of the attack. The staff had been sent home, so no one was injured as a result of the damage.
UNESCO has already been informed of the attack’s consequences.
“UNESCO already knows everything; we’ve reported everything. They’re currently considering how to provide support,” said Kukovalska.
She noted that the site is under special scrutiny by UNESCO. Its status was reaffirmed again this year during the World Heritage Committee session.
According to a preliminary visual assessment, St. Sophia Cathedral itself did not sustain any visible damage.
However, final conclusions will be drawn after a detailed inspection.
“Thank God that no one was hurt and St. Sophia Cathedral was not damaged. But starting tomorrow, we will still conduct a very detailed inspection. Visually, nothing is visible yet. There might be some small cracks here and there, but I don’t want to speculate. I think everything will be fine there, thank God,” Kukovalska noted.
The reserve’s director added emotionally that every Russian attack on the capital’s center causes particular concern due to the threat to the historic monument.
“You can’t imagine—every shelling really weighs on my heart. I’m sorry for getting emotional, but that’s just how it is,” she said.
Source: Wave RBC.UA
On September 4, a Russian drone struck the central building of the Security Service of Ukraine on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, across from St. Sophia Cathedral.
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