In Kyiv, the Holy Intercession Church, built in 1906, was damaged as a result of the Russian attack on 24 September. The building’s windows, domes and historic façade, made of yellow Kyiv brick, were damaged. According to Volodymyr Nakonechnyi, head of the Podil District State Administration, this is the oldest church in the Mostytskyi and Vynohradyr districts.
What is known about the damage to the church
Damage to the Church of the Holy Protection was reported following a night-time Russian attack on Kyiv on 24 September. According to information released by the head of the Podil District State Administration Volodymyr Nakonechny, the church’s windows, domes and historic façade, built of yellow Kyiv brick, have been damaged.
The official emphasised that this concerns the part of the church which has preserved the district’s historical memory for over a century. It is clear from the information provided that the blast affected not only the modern parts of the building but also its historical décor.
Why is this church important to the neighbourhood?
The Church of the Holy Protection was built in 1906. According to Nakonechny, this is the oldest church in the Mostytske and Vynohradar districts, that is to say, one of the most striking historical religious sites in this part of the capital.
Consequently, the damage to the church is not only the result of an attack on civilian infrastructure, but also a loss to Kyiv’s local historical heritage. This is evident from the building’s age and its significance to the neighbourhood.
What was the attack on Kyiv on 24 September like?
On the night of 24 September Russian troops attacked Kyiv ballistic missiles and drones. The following people were killed as a result of the attack A 57-year-old woman in the Podilskyi district and A 65-year-old man in the Solomyanskyi district. More eight people People aged between 25 and 77 were injured, including a police officer.
Against the backdrop of these consequences, the damage to the Church of the Holy Protection served as further confirmation that it is not only residential or industrial buildings that are coming under attack, but also the capital’s historic buildings.
Consequences of the attack
At present, there is no official information regarding the scale of the restoration work, the cost of the damage or the timeframe for the restoration of the Church of the Holy Protection. Nor has it been reported whether any parts of the building require urgent conservation following the damage.
However, it is already clear that the attack has affected one of the oldest churches in the Podil district of Kyiv; consequently, the question of the church’s restoration will be significant not only for the local community but also for preserving the district’s historic character.
