Sophia of Kyiv National Preserve
The Sophia of Kyiv National Preserve is a Ukrainian state institution for the protection of cultural heritage, under the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. It encompasses the Saint Sophia Cathedral, its bell tower, the metropolitan's residence, monastic buildings dating from the 11th to the 18th centuries, and the adjacent archaeological sites of the medieval city of Volodymyr and Khreshchatyk Park. The preserve was founded in 1934, and since 1990 the cathedral ensemble has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the site "Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra". The institution is responsible for conservation, restoration, and study of the mosaics, frescoes, and architectural monuments in its care.
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Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters in central Kyiv, hits building opposite Saint Sophia Cathedral
On September 4, a Russian drone struck the central building of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Volodymyrska Street in central Kyiv, opposite Saint Sophia Cathedral. A fire broke out and part of the floor structure and outer wall were destroyed. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone was directed at the office of acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad, who was not in the building at the time, and ordered preparation of an adequate, tangible, and where possible mirror response.