Three Cars Damaged as 150-Year-Old Kyiv Chestnut Tree Collapses

Storm Strikes Kyiv: Historic Tree Falls

According to Главком: A powerful storm on April 26 caused the collapse of the Ivashchenko Chestnut, a 150-year-old tree in Kyiv’s Pechersk District. Located near 10 Rybalska Street, the falling tree brought down power lines and crushed three vehicles, shattering windows in one of them. The tree had been a designated botanical monument since 2013, standing 25 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 3.2 meters. Additional tree falls were reported on Oleksandr Konysky and Teatralna Streets, as well as near the stairs of the Natural History Museum.

Storm Aftermath and Casualties

The severe weather on April 26 claimed two lives across Ukraine, with two more people injured. Emergency crews are working to clear debris across 13 regions. Forecasters had issued warnings in advance, predicting a northwesterly storm with winds of 15–20 meters per second. This event highlights the vulnerability of urban green spaces, especially historic trees, during extreme weather.

The loss of the Ivashchenko Chestnut, a symbol of Kyiv’s botanical heritage, has sparked renewed debate about the safety and preservation of city trees amid rising natural disasters. The widespread storm underscores the urgent need for better monitoring and emergency response systems to protect both people and historic landmarks. In the wake of this incident, discussions are expected on strategies to safeguard urban greenery from increasingly severe weather events.

The recent storm not only caused the tragic fall of the Ivashchenko Chestnut but also brought severe weather conditions across the city. In fact, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail affected three districts of Kyiv, exacerbating the situation for residents. For a closer look at the impact of this storm on the community and the challenges faced by emergency services, check out our coverage on Kyiv's severe storm.