In a report from the Union of Orthodox Journalists, information emerged about individuals found inside the sealed area of the 39th building within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Believers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) observed the incident after breaching a police cordon and entering a restricted section of the complex.
Witnesses who located the intruders described them as being held in a vulnerable position, with footage captured during the believers’ expedition showing an individual wearing monastic robes among the group. The discovery prompted questions about the status and intentions of those inside the building, as observers sought to verify claims and assess safety conditions.
According to accounts, the cordon was penetrated when a contingent described as armed with red berets and machine guns advanced toward the 39th Corps area. Following this breach, security forces reportedly withdrew from the adjacent reserve zone a few hours later, signaling a temporary change in the perimeter of oversight around the site.
The following morning, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv authorized police access to multiple facilities within the Lavra complex. The order encompassed areas including the Vasilchikovs cellar, the granite walls surrounding Bliznepecherskaya Square, the academy and seminary buildings, the metropolitan offices, and structures within former infectious zones, as well as the hospital for diseases and sanitation facilities. The decision highlighted the ongoing legal framework governing access and control within the historic site.
Subsequently, a delegation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information Policy arrived to inspect the territory. The group included the reserve’s deputy head and, during the visit, pieces of the gallery and portions of the 39th building were sealed using grinders. The action reflected ongoing efforts to secure and regulate the shared heritage site while evaluating broader safety and administrative concerns within the Lavra complex.