The Commission of the Ministry of Culture has reported new findings of negligence by officials of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) regarding the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
This was reported by Glavkom.
The Commission conducted an inspection of three cultural heritage sites, two of national significance and one of local significance, namely: the property of building 37, 37a, and 38 - the gallery to the Near Caves, the bell tower on the Near Caves, and the entrance to the Gallery of the Near Caves.
Since the doors of the buildings were closed, technical staff provided access to the Commission in the presence of the Acting Director General of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Ostapenko and Deputy Rudnyk.
The inspected objects are architectural monuments of national and local significance, components of the national monument complex of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Ensemble and components of the UNESCO World Heritage site. However, the clergy used the premises as a warehouse and shop.
According to Glavkom, the internal premises were found to be accumulating used furniture, various packaging materials, old clothing, and shoes.
In addition, there were no signs of the tenant having taken fire safety measures.
The fire extinguisher was last checked several years ago, although according to fire safety regulations, it should be checked every year. The results of the Lavra premises inspection were documented in the Commission's report.