KYIV — Cultural institutions across Ukraine began restoration and recovery work on landmarks damaged in recent attacks, officials said on Monday, as authorities assessed damage to several heritage sites struck during a large-scale wave of missile and drone attacks.
Among the most prominent sites affected was the Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant religious and cultural landmarks in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said a fire damaged parts of the cathedral after an overnight attack, while emergency crews and conservation specialists moved quickly to protect artifacts and assess structural damage.
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and other cultural institutions reported that restoration planning had begun at affected sites, including museums and cultural complexes in Kyiv. The National Cultural, Art, and Museum Complex Mystetskyi Arsenal said specialists were evaluating damage after a fire broke out during the attacks. The institution said all staff members were safe.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine would restore the damaged heritage sites. “We will rebuild everything that has been damaged,” he said, according to official statements released after the attacks.
The latest damage follows years of destruction affecting Ukraine’s cultural sector since the conflict escalated. Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has previously reported widespread damage to museums, monuments and cultural infrastructure across the country. Officials have said restoration efforts increasingly rely on cooperation with international organizations and heritage experts.
UNESCO expressed concern over the damage to cultural heritage sites and said it was prepared to support assessment and recovery efforts. The organization has previously coordinated emergency preservation projects in Ukraine, including efforts to rescue and conserve artworks and historical collections damaged during attacks.
Russia denied responsibility for damage to the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, saying the site was struck by Ukrainian air-defense activity rather than Russian weapons. Ukrainian authorities rejected that claim and said debris recovered at the scene indicated the damage resulted from a Russian attack.
As of Monday evening, emergency stabilization work was continuing at several affected cultural sites, while engineers, museum specialists and heritage conservation teams conducted detailed inspections. Authorities said full assessments of the damage and the scope of restoration required remained underway, and some details remained unclear.
