Kyiv: Restoration of the damaged historic monastery could take up to two years

The restoration of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, parts of which were heavily damaged by recent airstrikes, could take approximately two years, according to a site official. This nearly thousand-year-old monastic complex is one of the country's most important religious and cultural symbols.

The site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was hit in an attack attributed by Ukrainian authorities to Russia. The incident notably caused a fire on the roof of the Dormition Cathedral, an iconic building whose golden domes have dominated the Ukrainian capital for centuries.

Ukrainian authorities denounced a deliberate strike, while Russia rejected these accusations. Moscow maintains, on the contrary, that the damage was caused by the impact of a US Patriot air defense missile used by Ukraine to intercept attacks.

According to the complex's general manager, Maksym Ostapenko, more than 80% of the 11th-century cathedral's roof was damaged. However, firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading inside the building, thus limiting the most serious damage.

The damage is not limited to the main cathedral. Other structures on the site, including the Ivan Kushchnyk Tower and about ten other buildings in the complex, were also affected. The total cost of repairs is estimated at over 500 million hryvnias, or approximately $11 million.

On site, nearly a hundred rescuers and technicians are working to secure the damaged structures. Specialized equipment has been deployed to stabilize the roof and remove weakened elements, amid serious concerns for the frescoes and religious objects still inside.

On Tuesday, workers began installing protective panels over the damaged sections and securing the building's windows. Local authorities stressed the need for swift action to prevent further damage to the site, considered a central element of Ukraine's spiritual heritage.