Restoration of Dormition Cathedral may take up to two years, Preserve Director says

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According to Ukrinform, Director General of the National Preserve Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Maksym Ostapenko said this at the briefing.

“According to assessments by our specialists, under an optimal and positive scenario, restoration and recovery work could take about two years,” Ostapenko said.

He noted that the most significant damage was sustained by the roof structures and several architectural elements of the cathedral. However, the building itself remains structurally recoverable and can be restored.

Ostapenko added that the National Preserve administration is also considering the partial reopening of the Lavra complex to visitors, with designated safe routes through the site.

“I hope that closer to Friday we will provide full information on how the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra will operate, because it must continue to function and live,” he stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during Russia’s massive aerial attack on June 15, two Russian drones deliberately targeted the area of Kyiv where the Lavra and the Mystetskyi Arsenal cultural complex are located.