Damage from Russian strikes: Kyiv's Caves Monastery losses exceed US$11m

Damage to the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (the Monastery of the Caves) caused by a Russian strike exceeds UAH 500 million (US$11 million) and repairs could take around two years, said Maksym Ostapenko, Director General of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine

Details: A Russian Shahed drone strike caused significant damage to the exterior and interior of the Dormition Cathedral. Nearby historic structures were also affected, including parts of the Lavra's fortifications and the Ivan Kushchnyk Tower.

"An enormous amount of critically important emergency work has been completed. All exhibits that were at risk of damage have been removed and saved. This was done within the very first hour after the strike," Ostapenko said at a press conference.

He noted that more than 80% of the roof was damaged, but stressed that the most important achievement was preventing the fire from spreading inside the cathedral.

The director also said that the building's foundation had not been damaged because the strike hit the roof.

Ostapenko noted that in addition to the Dormition Cathedral and the Ivan Kushchnyk Tower, which were the main sites affected, 17 more facilities within the reserve sustained various types of damage.

Quote: "The damage is currently being assessed, and we can already say with certainty that it exceeds UAH 500 million. Further work will continue on a comprehensive analysis of all the elements required for future restoration, taking into account current prices and various possibilities, and this figure will be revised."

Details: Ostapenko said that the main expenses will be related to constructing a new roof structure, restoring the domes, carrying out gilding work and repairing damaged systems, including electricity, lightning protection and ventilation.

According to experts, under the most favourable scenario, restoration and repair works could take around two years.

The possibility of reopening Kyiv Pechersk Lavra sites to visitors is currently being examined, as well as which routes may remain accessible during the repair works.

It was previously reported that holy relics and liturgical items, ancient icons, antimensia, and other sacred things were urgently evacuated and successfully preserved. The cathedral's iconostasis also did not sustain significant damage.

Background:

• A fire broke out on the grounds of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra following the large-scale attack on Kyiv on 15 June.
• Russian forces destroyed the largest innovative sorting hub belonging to Nova Poshta (Nova Post), Ukraine's largest private postal operator, in Kyiv on the night of 14-15 June.

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