- Category
- War in Ukraine
Part of Saint Sophia of Kyiv Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Damaged in Russian Drone Attack
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
A Russian drone in central Kyiv on September 4 caused damage to the 18th-century Consistory Building, also known as the Khlibnya, within the National Sanctuary Complex of Saint Sophia of Kyiv.
A blast wave shattered several windows and destroyed interior glass vestibules, according to LB.ua.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The main cathedral structure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained no initial visible damage, though specialists will conduct a thorough inspection. No staff members were injured during the incident, as everyone reached shelter in time.
Sanctuary director Nelya Kukovalska confirmed that management is looking for restoration funds, noting that offers for assistance have come in from colleagues and UNESCO representatives in Ukraine.
Originally constructed between 1722 and 1730 to serve as a bakery for the Saint Sophia Monastery, the Consistory Building was repurposed for ecclesiastical administration and court facilities after the monastery closed.
Modern modifications included a new wing built along Volodymyrska Street between 1851 and 1853 under architect Pavlo Sparro, followed by additional alterations from 1884 to 1886 by Volodymyr Nikolayev.
Although earlier alterations stripped the structure of its original Baroque appearance, restoration efforts between 1976 and 1984 partially restored its historical forms, and the building currently serves as the Khlibnya exhibition halls.
“We will look for funds for restoration. I don't know where yet. Many people are offering help — colleagues, the UNESCO office in Ukraine. We will make use of it,” said Kukovalska.
At least 7 people were injured in the broader central area attack, with 6 requiring hospitalization. The strike hit an SBU security service building situated across the street from the sanctuary grounds.
This marks the second time the complex has suffered damage from Russian air strikes. An earlier attack during the night of June 10, 2025, damaged the 11th-century Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv when a blast wave caused part of the cornice on its main apse to collapse. Former Ukrainian Minister of Culture Mykola Tochytskyi stated that the strike hit the heart of Ukraine’s identity, targeting a sacred site that had withstood centuries and symbolized the birth of Ukrainian statehood.
Russia has previously been linked to attacks on Ukrainian civilians and cultural sites. On February 16, Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General identified senior commanders from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet as suspects in the missile strike on Lviv and the nearby UNESCO buffer zone on July 6, 2023.
The investigation determined that the strike involved 3M-14 Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles fired from submarines and surface ships of the Black Sea Fleet, which were on combat duty in the region at the time. One missile hit a residential area, killing nine civilians and causing significant damage to buildings, vehicles, and other civilian infrastructure.
Discuss this article:
-9a7b3a98ed5c506e0b77a6663f5727c5.png)
-b18f5ecda45183be7cdb09315d839ecc.jpg "Mission One: Survive. A First-Grader’s Life in Ukraine Under Russian Air Attacks")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
