Monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra File Complaint to Ombudsman Over Food Supply Blockade

On June 3, 2025, the brotherhood of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra submitted an official complaint to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. The appeal was prompted by obstacles to the delivery of food, medicine, and other essential items to the monastery. This was reported on the official website of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

According to the statement, under the internal order of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” dated August 10, 2023, transportation responsible for meeting the monastery’s daily and essential needs is to be granted access to the territory based on approved lists. However, despite this regulation, the Reserve’s administration allegedly issued an unlawful directive to block such vehicles from entering the Lower Lavra. The monks state that police officers, lacking proper legal grounds, are enforcing this instruction beyond their authority.

In their appeal, the brotherhood emphasizes that such actions constitute a violation of fundamental human rights — particularly the right to freedom of religion and to decent living conditions. The monks also note that no court ruling currently in force exists that would prohibit their presence in the monastery or require them to leave the Lavra. Therefore, their stay in the monastery remains entirely lawful.

The monks expect the Ombudsman to provide an appropriate legal assessment of the situation. They also await official explanations from both the police and the administration of the Reserve.

It should be recalled that police have prohibited vehicles delivering food to monks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from entering the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. As a result, the monks residing in the Lavra have been left without full access to food and other basic necessities.