"Pahonia" mural on 18th-century building in central Mogilev painted over at the instruction of Russian diplomats
"Maybe there will be something new..."
As reported by the "Praekt-servis" company, the customer decided to remove the "Pahonia" mural from the 18th-century building in the center of Mogilev. The consular section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation is the customer.
It is Russian diplomats who will be located in the building at Leninskaya, 5a, the end wall of which was until recently adorned with an artistic painting featuring the historical coat of arms of the city. Now it has been painted over, despite a prior expert ban.
The end wall of the building on Leninskaya Street, 5A, where a mural with "Pahonia" was located before the reconstruction for the needs of the Russian embassy branch. Screenshot from video: vidosy_mogilev / Instagram
The mural, depicting a city panorama based on a 1702 engraving and the official coat of arms of Mogilev, with a horseman holding a sword (the ancient "Pahonia" coat of arms) above the city gate in its center, adorned the end wall of the two-story building for nine years. It was created in 2017 by artist Ryhor Sharayeu for Mogilev's 750th anniversary.
Mural on the end wall of the building. Photo from social media
As we wrote earlier, the approved building reconstruction project envisaged insulating the external walls with mineral wool slabs, but the state expertise prohibited covering with insulation and painting over the end wall of the building, demanding the mural be preserved. It has now become known that the experts' requirements were ignored at the final stage of the renovation at the will of the customer.
"The mural was initially intended to be preserved. But then the customer decided to remove it. Maybe he will restore it later? Or maybe something new will be there...", commented "Praekt-servis", which, according to the object's passport, is responsible for the major repair of the building at Leninskaya, 5a.
The initial intentions to preserve the mural were also confirmed to us by the executive committee.
Photo: magilev.by
It was not yet possible to clarify further plans for the building's end wall with the people who will be based there — the renovation is not finished, so the Mogilev branch of the Embassy of the Russian Federation does not yet have its own official premises. According to the object's passport, the repair work should be completed by November 14.
Recall that the building behind the town hall was previously planned to be used for the expansion of the Mogilev History Museum, but in May 2026 it was transferred to the Russian embassy branch, with about 613 thousand rubles allocated from the city budget for its renovation. Russia continues to expand its diplomatic presence in Belarusian regions: new Russian branches are also preparing to open in Gomel and Vitebsk.
Vladislav Dainego, the former "Minister of Foreign Affairs" of the unrecognized LPR, was appointed to head the diplomatic office in Mogilev.