Lavra’s vicar says when assessment of damage to Dormition Cathedral to be conducted

An assessment of the damage to cultural artifacts in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will be possible once the premises have partially dried out.

This was stated by the vicar of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Bishop Avraamii, in a comment to Ukrinform.

“To provide a proper assessment, we have to wait until the Dormition Cathedral dries out at least a little, because a big amount of water was poured in... Everything is being examined by the reserve’s commission, archaeologists, and icon painters. I think that an assessment will be provided in the near future, and we will understand what to do next,” said Avraamii.

According to him, significant damage to the interior decoration has been reported. In particular, this concerns the iconostasis, which has been heavily soiled by soot and smoke.

The bishop added that the altar area was damaged, and that, according to preliminary data, it was the point of impact. The left side of the cathedral was also damaged, with significant soot buildup and localized damage to the decoration.

Separately, damage to the murals, icons, and frescoes has been documented, which will require further restoration.

As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during the massive shelling on June 15, two Russian drones deliberately targeted the part of Kyiv where the Lavra and the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex are located.

As a result of the Russian attack on the night of June 15, the roof of the Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was 80% damaged.