Zelensky awards staff of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve

Zelensky presents an award to preserve employee Ovchar. Photo: preserve’s Facebook page

On August 15, 2026, during celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Zelensky presented state awards to employees of the Lavra reserve.

As stated during the ceremony, the awards were given “for a significant personal contribution to the development of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve,” the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, and research and charitable activities.

The Order of Merit, 3rd Class, was awarded to the reserve’s chief engineer Ruslan Kirmach and deputy directors general Kostiantyn Krainii and Oleksandr Ovchar.

The Order of Princess Olga, 3rd Class, was awarded to Inna Ivakina, head of a sector within one of the reserve’s departments. Senior researcher Anatoliy Antoniuk received the Presidential Distinction “Ivan Mazepa Cross,” while reserve employees Alina Varyvoda, Svitlana Haha-Sheremetieva, and Olha Krainia were granted the honorary title “Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine.”

Zelensky did not specify the exact merits for which each of these people received state awards. It should be recalled that Oleksandr Ovchar took a particularly active part in the seizures of Lavra buildings in 2023.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a presentation of radical groups’ combat units was held in the Lavra’s Refectory Church.

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