St. Sophia of Kyiv displays "Angels of Victory" made of spent shell casings

Exhibits from the “Tree of Life: Tradition and Modernity” exhibition at St. Sophia of Kyiv. Collage of submitted photos. Photo: Vechirniy Kyiv

On October 14, 2026, it was reported that the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Reserve was hosting an exhibition titled “Tree of Life: Tradition and Modernity,” featuring a series of artworks called “Angels of Victory” made from spent shell casings. The exhibition was reported by Vechirniy Kyiv.

The series was created by artist Volodymyr Balyberdin, who used shell casings donated by military personnel to make angel figures and jewelry. The exhibition also features his works made from glass salvaged from windows and storefronts shattered by shelling, as well as a decorative panel made from antique horseshoes.

The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ground Forces, the Call Signs platform, and the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Among the exhibits are textile “trees” by Tetiana Pranchuk, whose designs incorporate military call-sign patches into traditional Ukrainian rushnyk (embroidered ceremonial towel) patterns.

According to the curators, the project focuses on preserving memory, renewal, and providing psychological support to society during the war. The exhibition is located on the third floor of the Metropolitan’s House within the reserve and will run through October 30.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that St. Sophia of Kyiv would host a roundtable discussion on the double-headed eagle depicted on its iconostasis.

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