Restoration work on the Cathedral of the Dormition is underway at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Urgent emergency restoration work is continuing at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra following the massive Russian attack on June 15, which caused significant damage to cultural heritage sites, infrastructure, and arts education in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. Nineteen cultural heritage sites on the Lavra’s grounds were damaged, with the Assumption Cathedral and the Kushnyk Tower sustaining the most severe damage.

According to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, First Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytskyi inspected the progress of the work, emphasizing that the key priority remains protecting the cathedral from the elements and preserving its unique ornamentation. “Every restored site is a contribution to the preservation of our historical memory, ” he noted, thanking all those involved in the restoration work.

Currently, emergency covering is being installed on the damaged roof of the Assumption Cathedral; 70% of the roof has already been covered. A commission, including specialists from Lviv Polytechnic National University, has begun inspecting the roof structure; based on the results, a defect report and a cost estimate for conservation work will be prepared. The Ministry of Culture expressed its gratitude to the experts who joined the process.

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is gradually reopening to visitors. The Church of the Savior on Berestov, the Near Caves, the Great Lavra Bell Tower, the Refectory Church, and part of the museum exhibits are now open. “We are doing everything we can to properly celebrate the Lavra’s 975th anniversary,” said Maksym Ostapenko, Director General of the National Reserve, emphasizing that the preservation of cultural heritage is part of the cognitive war against Ukraine.