The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has announced that Banksy’s graffiti, depicting a woman in a gas mask, will be preserved on the national reserve’s grounds.
The artwork was originally created in Hostomel after the Kyiv region was liberated in 2022.
The mural will be displayed in "open storage," allowing public access for viewing.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the Lavra described itself as a "cultural space liberated from the ‘Russki mir’ [Russian world]," dedicated to preserving both ancient relics and promoting contemporary art.
Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve on Facebook
"This Banksy work symbolizes the horror and protest against Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine," the statement said.
On December 2, 2022, police reported that a group attempted to dismantle the mural along with part of the wall, planning to transport it using wooden planks and plastic sheeting.
Police intervened, detaining eight people and securing the artwork, which is now safely preserved.
The Russian occupation of the Kyiv region began in late February 2022, bringing intense fighting and destruction, especially in areas like Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel. Ukrainian forces liberated the region by early April 2022, revealing extensive damage and evidence of war crimes.
