“Nelya Kukovalskaya will continue to hold the position of CEO of the National Reserve “Sofia Kyivska”. This decision was preceded by eight -month inspections and temporary removal of Kukovalskaya from office. The press service of the reserve reports. Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tokitsky signed an order on June 20 to renew Nella Kukovalskaya in his post. The previous contract ends today, June 23. The reserve indicates that”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Nelya Kukovalskaya will continue to hold the position of CEO of the National Reserve “Sofia Kyivska”. This decision was preceded by eight -month inspections and temporary removal of Kukovalskaya from office.
About it reports Press service Reserve.
Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tokitsky signed an order on June 20 to renew Nella Kukovalskaya in his post. The previous contract ends today, June 23.
The reserve states that this step was the “victory of the state and patriotic approach” in solving a situation that caused great resonance in society, professional environment and the international community.
The team thanked the support of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the first lady of Olena Zelensk, the Verkhovna Rada, public and international organizations, cultural figures, media and Ukrainian military.
On April 24, the Ministry of Culture temporarily dismissed Kukovalsk from the performance of duties and initiated the check of its work. In particular, it was about the efficiency of use of property, budgetary funds and compliance with the requirements of the contract. Since then, the staff of the institution has repeatedly been in favor of Kukovalskaya.
In particular, 230 Sofia Kyivska employees appealed to the President to protect the reserve from the Ministry of Culture and to renew a contract with the CEO of Nelya Kukovalskaya. The ministry, meanwhile, lasted due to a wedding on the territory of the reserve. Kukovalskaya called the accusations unfounded and declared pressure. According to Kukovalskaya, the reserve was checked three times in a row. The first, conducted by the State Audit Service, lasted from December to March 2025 and covered the activities of the reserve over the last five years. In February this year, the Ministry created a working group of eight specialists to study the state of protection and use of cultural heritage monuments in the reserve. This check lasted during March 2025, and, according to Kukovalskaya, “no violations were detected.” However, the document on its results was sent only in May, at the written request of the reserve. According to Nely Kukovalskaya, the next, third check of certain areas of activity of the CEO of the Reserve, which began on April 24, when she was in hospital after surgery. At the same time, with the order to hold Kukovalsk, it was removed from the duties of the CEO.
We will remind, the scandal surrounding the paid entrance to the National Reserve “Sofia Kiev” on International Museum Day, May 18, received an explanation. In an interview with Glavcom, the General Director of the Reserve Nelya Kukovalskaya stated that the guilt lies at the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, which did not grant permission for free visit. According to Kukovalskaya, although the tradition of free entrance to museums exists around the world on May 18, it is not legally enshrined in Ukraine.
