Kyiv has begun the restoration of the Chalet ice arena, which sustained severe damage as a result of a Russian ballistic strike on the night of October 19, 2026. This was reported by Autostrada founder Maksym Shkil on his Facebook page, which Wave RBC.UA referenced in its publication. According to him, the company's team is already working at the site: specialists are conducting a technical assessment, evaluating the scale of destruction, and determining the scope of necessary work while simultaneously starting repairs on the damaged structures.
Scale of Damage
As a result of the attack, the sports complex in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district suffered large-scale damage. More than 400 square meters of the 12-meter-high end section of the building were destroyed, while windows, the entrance group, interior spaces, and individual structures of the building were damaged. These are the exact areas currently receiving close attention from builders who must restore the arena's operability.
Repairs Are Already Underway
As Maksym Shkil emphasized, the priority is the fastest possible resumption of the arena's full operations. "We plan to resume the full operation of the arena as soon as possible so that children can return to training, develop their talents, and achieve the highest sports results," the entrepreneur noted. According to him, in difficult times it is especially important to preserve a space for children where they can realize their talents, engage in their favorite activities, and "experience happy moments of childhood."
Why the Arena Is Critically Important for Kyiv
Chalet is the capital's only ice arena that meets standards for professional competitions and training in hockey, figure skating, and short track speed skating. It serves as the base for the Lydynka children's and youth sports school, hosts sports sections, and accommodates professional and amateur teams. The arena regularly hosted Ukrainian hockey championship matches, children's tournaments, and amateur competitions, and for many young athletes, the complex was the main venue for daily training.
Context of the October 19 Strike
Recall that on the night of October 19, Russian troops launched a combined attack on Kyiv. In addition to the ice arena, three educational institutions were damaged in the Dniprovskyi district; due to the aftermath of the shelling, students were temporarily transferred to distance learning. Thus, the restoration of Chalet is becoming not only a sports project, but also a social one, returning the normal rhythm of life to an entire district.
