Kyiv Court Supports Protection of Protasiv Yar Landscape Reserve

In Kyiv, the Economic Court backed the prosecutor’s position on protecting the Protasiv Yar landscape reserve. The decision underscores that construction work within the protected zone can lead to the loss of a unique natural complex, the destruction of species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, and damage to archaeological heritage. These conclusions were the result of a case in which one of the commercial entities sought to challenge the Kyiv City Council’s decision to establish the reserve.

According to the case, the plaintiffs claimed rights to use more than 1 hectare of land in the tract and planned large-scale development works. At the same time, the prosecutor argued that the lease agreement for these plots had ceased more than ten years ago, so any construction in the protected zone was impermissible due to the risk of destroying natural and cultural heritage.

“Environmental prosecutors proved in court that the lease agreement for these lands had ceased more than ten years ago. They argued that any construction within the protected zone is impermissible, as it would lead to the loss of a unique natural complex, the destruction of species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, and damage to archaeological heritage”

After the hearing, the court confirmed the prosecutors’ arguments and left in force the decision to create the Protasiv Yar landscape reserve, the Office of the General Prosecutor reported.

What is known about Protasiv Yar

According to activist Yulia Bartli, the Protasiv Yar green zone in Kyiv had existed for many years, but over time attempts at development emerged. In 2019, the Daytona Group company built a fence on the park’s territory and began cutting down trees, which prompted activists and civil organizations to initiate protection of the area. In line with their efforts, in 2020 the court deemed the possible development unlawful and returned Protasiv Yar to the list of green zones. Subsequently, the area managed to be preserved from large investments thanks to public activism and court proceedings.

Today Protasiv Yar covers about 20 hectares in the Solomianskyi district of the capital. Of these, 2.5 hectares belong to municipal property, about 1.5 hectares are leased by the company “EnsoGroup”, and the remaining 16 hectares are private property of LLC “Protasiv Yar”. In 2022, Kyiv City Council recognized these territories as protected and banned any economic activity there; the corresponding decision was reaffirmed in 2024. The tenants have filed lawsuits, opposing the reserve status. In the context of the history of active efforts to preserve the park, the name Roman Ratushny is mentioned, who led the public initiative and died in June 2022 while defending the country. Also, in September 2022, Kyiv City Council decided to rename one of the city’s streets after him – from Volgograd Street to a street named after Roman Ratushny.