The acting director of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, Maksym Ostapenko, has said that the reserve has “regained control” of 12 Lavra buildings Maksym Ostapenko has said that the reserve has “returned 12 Lavra buildings under its control”. About it reports “Ukrinform”.

“Let me remind you that we are talking about 79 objects that were transferred to the UOC-MP. About 40 of them are full-fledged, in particular residential, constructions. Among them, 12 have already been fully returned, they are in use and under the control of the reserve. A certain number of objects remain, which are occupied by monks of the monastery,” Ostapenko said.

He added that until the completion of the court proceedings between the reserve and representatives of the UOC, the monks will use cult and living quarters as before.

“Structures not stipulated by the contract, in particular commercial and hotel facilities, seminary-academy, must be vacated. But the monks have full access to the premises they used – caves, refectories, cells, churches,” said the acting director of the reserve.

In addition, Ostapenko expressed confidence that the overwhelming number of monks of the UOC adhere to “pro-Ukrainian views” and in time, “deprived of the pressure of obligations, in particular, to Patriarch Kirill, they will take a pro-Ukrainian position and find a format to continue serving in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.”