Banksy’s Gas Mask Mural to Be Preserved at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The press service of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has announced that Banksy’s graffiti depicting a woman in a gas mask, created in Hostomel after the Kyiv region was liberated in 2022, will be preserved on the grounds of the national reserve.

The graffiti will be kept in "open storage," allowing public access for viewing.

“The Lavra today is a cultural space liberated from the ‘Russki mir’  [Russian world, - ed.] preserving not only ancient relics but also fostering contemporary art projects,” the reserve's statement said. “This Banksy work is a symbol of the horror and protest against Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. Banksy created this and other pieces to draw the world's attention to Ukraine and the brutality of the Russian occupiers. Now, this graffiti is preserved where the fight for Ukrainian culture, history, and values is ongoing.”

According to police reports, on December 2, 2022, a group from Kyiv and Cherkasy dismantled the graffiti along with a portion of the wall, including insulation, and attempted to transport it using wooden planks and plastic sheeting. The police intervened and detained eight individuals, confiscating the artwork, which is now secured and protected.

The occupation of the Kyiv region by Russian forces began in late February 2022 during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It included heavy fighting, particularly in areas like Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties. Ukrainian forces successfully liberated the region by early April 2022, revealing widespread devastation and evidence of war crimes that drew global condemnation.