“Not even a month has passed”: Acting head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve accused of embezzling state funds

Denis Rozov, head of the Antony and Theodosius of Pechersk Charitable Foundation, published a statement accusing Svitlana Kotlyarevska, acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, of corruption and embezzlement of state funds. Rozov claims that Kotlyarevska used the funds she received for her own purposes, while overestimating the cost of various projects. The statement was published on the foundation’s Facebook account.

«Today, I am forced to make public extremely important information concerning deliberate corruption and malicious actions which, according to our data, were committed by Svitlana Kotlyarevska, acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve. During 2024-2025, the foundation helped the reserve in the following areas: financing the renovation of premises, printing books, and organizing cultural events. Kotlyarevska’s trip to London was also funded by the foundation. Svitlana Kotlyarevska was given $36,000 in cash, and there are no reports on how it was used. This points to Kotlyarevska possibly taking the money for herself, abusing her position, and committing fraud. Based on the above, the fund is appealing to the Ministry of Culture, law enforcement agencies, and the court to investigate Kotlyarevska’s actions,» — Rozov said.

On June 3, the court upheld the complaint of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brotherhood regarding police inaction in the case of violations against the monastery. This concerns the actions of the acting director general of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” Svitlana Kotlyarevska, who is suspected of inciting religious hatred.