Ukrainian Culture Ministry commission fails to seal off Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra buildings

MOSCOW. July 4 (Interfax) - Representatives of the Ukrainian Culture Ministry and the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra Museum and Reserve spent several hours on Tuesday trying to inspect and seal off five Lavra buildings, but did not succeed.

According to Ukrainian media, Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers prevented the officials from entering the buildings, and the commission had to leave, having filed a statement with the police. Once the commission left the Lavra, the believers unblocked the buildings and moved to the Lavra's main entrance to pray.

Previously, in March 2023, the museum unilaterally terminated the rental agreement with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Church disagreed with this decision, and challenged it in court. The proceeding has just begun, but the Ukrainian Culture Ministry has decided not to wait for its conclusion.