Lesia Ukrainka's statue in Kyiv's Pechersk District no longer has a sandbag shield around it. This marked the start of a citywide effort to remove these protective layers from monuments across Kyiv. Since Russia began its full-scale war, Kyiv had shielded its cultural landmarks with sandbags, wooden frames, and similar barriers. But now, officials say the threat level is different.
The city's Department of Culture director, Serhii Anzhyiak, explained that early on, these makeshift protections were essential. They minimized damage from explosions and flying debris. But after four years of war, he said, the approach needs to evolve. The new reality includes Russian attacks using high-powered ballistic missiles, which the temporary shields cannot stop.
More than the direct damage, another issue became clear. The shields trapped moisture, which began to eat away at the statues themselves. This created a dilemma for Kyiv officials. They had to weigh the risk of leaving the monuments open to attacks against the harm caused by the enclosures.
Earlier this month, the city said it would remove the protective covers to clean the monuments and their surroundings. The effort has relied on volunteers, with no city funds being used for the conservation work. Anzhyiak stressed that protection now means more than just covering statues. It involves monitoring them closely and doing repairs as needed.