Nearly a month after a massive Russian attack on Kyiv, visible traces of the strike remain at the Hotel Ukraine. Some of the windows blown out by the blast wave have been temporarily covered with particleboard panels. Yet instead of serving only as reminders of destruction, the boards have unexpectedly become canvases for art.
Several of the wooden panels in the heart of the Ukrainian capital are now being painted by teenage Ukrainian girls. They are creating original artworks directly on the plywood that currently replaces the shattered windows of the building.
Among the first works are vibrant compositions in the traditional Petrykivka painting style created by 13-year-old artist Liubava Malitska. She says she has been drawing since early childhood. At first she painted people and animals, but later became especially fascinated by floral compositions.
“I’ve been drawing since I was very young. I started painting flowers later, when I joined the Dyvotsvit art club. That’s when I truly fell in love with painting flowers,” Liubava says.
She discovered the Petrykivka technique by chance while searching for a place to improve her artistic skills. According to the young artist, she was soon captivated by the style’s distinctive color transitions and the aesthetic of this traditional Ukrainian art form.
Liubava created the sketches for her murals herself, occasionally looking online for additional inspiration. One mural is painted in cool tones, the other in warm tones. The format itself was also unusual for her: instead of canvas or paper, she had to paint on large wooden boards.
“The main thing is to work very carefully, because the paint doesn’t dry in ten minutes — it takes almost a full day,” she explains.
Despite her modesty, Liubava admits she is proud of the result, although she feels a little shy knowing that thousands of people will see her artwork in the center of Kyiv.
After the May 24 attack, both the Hotel Ukraine and the Dnipro Hotel sustained significant damage. The blast wave damaged facades, interior spaces, and dozens of windows and balcony structures. Both properties are part of ARS Capital, a holding company owned by Ukrainian entrepreneur Maksym Krippa.
“These paintings have become much more than decoration for damaged windows. They show that even amid destruction, there is still room for art, beauty, and hope. We will preserve these works for history because they have become a symbol of Kyiv’s resilience and a reminder that Ukrainians find the strength to create even in the hardest times,” said Maksym Krippa, founder of ARS Capital.
As restoration work continues, the children’s paintings are gradually transforming the appearance of the damaged facade. Where signs of destruction stood only weeks ago, flowers, ornaments, and bright colors are now beginning to appear.
