After his appointment, Ostapenko promises to fight “Russian World” in Lavra
Maksym Ostapenko. Photo: Ostapenko's Facebook
On January 15, 2026, after being appointed head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, Maksym Ostapenko – who held the director’s post from 2023 to 2025 – declared that he is ready to fight the “Russian World” in the Lavra.
“We must all do everything together for victory in the spiritual confrontation with the ‘ruzzian world,’ which for centuries has been destroying everything Ukrainian in the Lavra,” Ostapenko stated.
The official emphasized that during his previous years in charge, together with the OCU he “launched processes that are returning the Lavra its voice and openness.”
“I am returning to work with faith that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra must be a space of deep spirituality, dignity, and historical memory,” he said.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU welcomed Ostapenko’s dismissal from the post of head of the Lavra Reserve.
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