Arguably the most recognizable modernist building in Ukraine, the so-called “Flying Saucer” was designed in the 1960s and has been recognized as an architectural monument and cultural heritage object on Oct. 8, 2020.
The so-called “Flying Saucer” building in Kyiv received government protection on Oct. 8. For over three years, this iconic piece of Soviet modernism near Lybidska metro station was in danger of being swallowed by a mall under construction behind it.
But just weeks before the Oct. 25 local elections, state and local government agencies tried to outrace each other in reporting that they have added the Saucer to their registers of protected objects. The state agencies are associated with the ruling Servant of the People party, while the local agencies are associated with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and his Udar party. Both parties are running in the upcoming elections.
