The Mykolaiv Regional Council will appeal to the Kingdom of Denmark for assistance in rebuilding the destroyed administrative building as a «space for democracy»

The Mykolaiv Regional Council’s administrative building was destroyed on 29 March 2022 during a missile attack. Photo: NikVesti

The Mykolaiv Regional Council intends to approach the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Ukraine with a request to help develop an architectural concept for the new regional council building. It currently remains in ruins following shelling by Russian forces in March 2022.

This was discussed by councillors at a meeting of the Mykolaiv Regional Council’s Committee on Science and Education, Innovation, Youth, Family and Sport, Culture and Spirituality on Monday, 19 October, according to NikVesti.

The Mykolaiv Regional Council building, which also housed the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration and the Commercial Court, was destroyed during a Russian attack on 29 March 2022.

The committee chair, Yevhen Horburov (elected from the «Opposition Party — For Life» party), noted that there had previously been discussions about making an appeal to the Kingdom of Denmark regarding the destroyed regional council building. Now they wish to do so officially.

«We discussed this after our building was destroyed. There had previously been agreements with representatives of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark. Now we would like this appeal to be sent directly to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Kyiv,» said the councillor.

Tetiana Labartkava, Head of Administration for the Regional Council’s Executive Office, clarified that at present the discussion is limited to the architectural concept for the new building.

«At the moment, we are discussing a conceptual visualisation of the regional council premises themselves. Further on, we will move on to the design and cost estimate documentation,» the official noted.

The destroyed building of the Mykolaiv Regional Council. Photo: NikVesti

The statement notes that Denmark is currently Mykolaiv region’s main international partner in the restoration of critical infrastructure, the development of local communities and the strengthening of local government capacity. The councillors emphasise the importance of rebuilding the premises.

«The reconstruction of this building is not merely a matter of restoring administrative infrastructure, but also a symbol of the revival of democratic institutions, the resilience of local self-government and confidence in the region’s future. We view the reconstruction of the Mykolaiv Regional Council’s administrative building as an opportunity not merely to restore its functional purpose, but also to create a modern space for Ukrainian democracy — one that is open, bright, barrier-free and accessible, where every resident of the region will feel dignified, comfortable and safe. In the future, this place is set to become a space for interaction between the community and the authorities, embodying open democratic governance and the revival of the Mykolaiv region,» the statement reads.

It notes that when developing the architectural concept, it is important to incorporate modern architectural practices, principles of energy efficiency and inclusivity, as well as the provision of a shelter.

The councillors are asking the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark to consider supporting the organisation of a competition to develop the architectural concept and visualisations for the new Mykolaiv Regional Council administrative building, involving Danish architectural firms.

The Mykolaiv Regional Council requests that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark assist in disseminating information about the competition amongst Danish architectural firms and European expert institutions, and consider the possibility of providing information and expert support in architectural planning. In addition, they are requesting grant or advisory support within the framework of existing cooperation programmes between Denmark and Ukraine.

The appeal is to be adopted by councillors at a session of the Mykolaiv Regional Council.

Appeal from the Mykolaiv Regional Council to Denmark regarding the reconstruction of the destroyed building

Appeal from the Mykolaiv Regional Council to Denmark regarding the reconstruction of the destroyed building

As a reminder, the central section of the building, from the ninth to the first floors, was destroyed as a result of the Russian attack. At the time, the State Emergency Service reported 12 fatalities and 33 injured. Local authorities later reported that the death toll had risen to 36. A list of the deceased was subsequently published.

In December 2022, Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, announced that the Regional Military Administration building, which had been destroyed in March by Russian shelling, could not be rebuilt.

Law enforcement agencies subsequently established that the order to strike the Regional Military Administration building had been given by the former commander of the Southern Military District, Russian Army General Aleksandr Dvornikov. He was served with a notice of suspicion in February 2025.

In August 2026, Mykolaiv’s chief architect, Yevhen Poliakov, stated that he considered it appropriate to locate a city-wide memorial dedicated to the current Russian-Ukrainian war on the site of the destroyed Mykolaiv Regional Council and Regional Military Administration building.

Read also the NikVesti article: «Our daily reminder. What will happen next to the destroyed Regional Military Administration building in Mykolaiv?».