St. Sophia Cathedral damaged by shelling in Kyiv: how the Conservation Area assesses the consequences
During another Russian missile attack on Kyiv on the night of June 10, one of Ukraine’s main architectural shrines, St. Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged.
Source: RBC-Ukraine
According to Nelia Kukovalska, Director General of the National Conservation Area “St. Sophia of Kyiv,” the damage is not critical, but it will take some time to repair.
What consequences were recorded
The destruction of the plaster cornice on the main apse of the eastern facade of the cathedral was recorded. The damage was caused by a powerful blast wave around 4:40 am.
“Our security guards discovered during their rounds that the cornice had fallen on the scaffolding. A report was drawn up with the participation of the police. We are currently assembling a commission of restorers to analyze the situation in detail,” Kukovalska said.
A preliminary inspection has already been conducted with the participation of Minister of Culture Mykola Tochytskyi. The reserve is preparing an official report to UNESCO about the incident.
Is it subject to restoration?
According to Kukovalska, the cornice probably dates back to the 18th century. According to preliminary estimates, its restoration should not cause any significant difficulties, but the process will require the selection of an appropriate composition of the solution that matches the original.
“The restoration may take a month and a half, depending on the results of the analysis,” said the head of the Reserve.
Of particular concern was the safety of the mosaic of Maria Oranta in the interior of the cathedral. According to Kukovalska, the interior space was not damaged: “The brick mounting system withstood the blast wave very well.”
Constant risk to the shrine
The Reserve emphasizes that the blast waves pose a serious threat to the preservation of the unique structures of St. Sophia Cathedral, built in the 11th century.
“These monuments are an integral part of our national identity. It is very important to convey information about such cases to the international community to prevent their recurrence,” the press service emphasized.
St. Sophia Cathedral, a symbol of Ukraine’s Christian spiritual heritage, remains at high risk due to regular shelling of the capital.
