40 million euros in damages: Restoration work at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra may be completed next year
24 June 20:14
According to the Austrian public broadcaster ORF, the damage caused by the large-scale Russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is estimated at 40 million euros. If the necessary funding is secured, restoration work could be completed as early as 2027, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
For his part, Maksym Ostapenko, director general of the Ukrainian national reserve, noted that the work must not stop for even a single day.
SEE ALSO: Restoration Could Take 2 Years: Damage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from Shelling Exceeds 500 million UAH
The installation of a temporary roof over the Assumption Cathedral—which is part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex and was particularly hard-hit by the shelling—is currently being completed, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture told Austrian journalists. There are plans to reopen this church to visitors and worshippers.
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Russian Strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, located in the historic center of Kyiv, is considered one of the most important monuments of architectural and monumental art from the early 11th century and one of the main centers of Orthodox Christianity. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
On the night of June 15, the roof of the Cathedral of the Dormition caught fire as a result of an attack by Russia, which continues its full-scale war against Ukraine. Clergy and rescue workers quickly removed valuable items, thanks to which the shrine was saved.
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One day after the attack, the Lavra’s leadership presented an initial assessment of the damage and stated that restoration could take two years “under optimal and favorable circumstances.” The damage exceeds 500 million hryvnias, which is equivalent to about 9.6 million euros, according to the Lavra’s director.
More than 80% of the roof of the Assumption Cathedral was damaged, but emergency services managed to prevent the fire from spreading inside the church. In total, 17 other structures sustained various types of damage. It will be necessary to construct a new roof for the Assumption Cathedral, restore the domes, carry out gilding work, and repair damaged systems, including the electrical and ventilation systems.
Regarding worship services at the Assumption Cathedral, Ostapenko predicts that, once a temporary shelter has been constructed, limited-capacity services may resume in a few months.
