Authentic reproduction of a Cossack chaika

Promotion of Ukrainian cultural heritage in the world

cossack chaika

About the project

Authentic Reproduction of Ukraine's Historical Heritage

The Cossack chaika “Presvyata Pokrova” is a modern reconstruction of a warship from the Cossack era, serving as a bridge between the past and the present, promoting awareness of Ukraine’s cultural heritage as a maritime nation.

The “Presvyata Pokrova” was built in 1992 by a group of enthusiasts from the Lviv Cossack society “Kish,” led by artist-reconstructor Vasyl Kachmar, along with activists from various cities across Ukraine who joined at different stages of the reconstruction. The design of the chaika was based on ancient descriptions and blueprints preserved in archives following the construction of the Cossack fleet on the Danube River during the storming of the Turkish fortress of Izmail. “Presvyata Pokrova” was built on the premises of the plywood factory in the town of Bryukhovychi, near Lviv, Ukraine.

Starting its maritime journey from the Dnipro River to the coasts of Europe, over the course of three decades, the ‘Presvyata Pokrova’ has sailed thousands of nautical miles, proudly representing Ukraine at international maritime festivals and events, including those in France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This authentic vessel consistently draws attention, introducing foreigners to the storied history of Ukrainian seafaring and highlighting Ukraine’s role in shaping European history.

Vessel Specifications

  • length

    Overall Length - 20 meters

  • width

    Overall Width - 3.5 meters

  • sediment

    Draft - 0.6 meters

  • material

    Construction Material - Wood (oak)

  • connection

    Assembly Method - Metal rivets

  • area

    Main Square Sail Area - 54 square meters

  • crew

    Crew Capacity - Up to 30 people

  • armament

    Armament - Up to 8 falconet-type cannons

1987-1993

The Beginning and the First Major Voyage

  • The idea of restoring the Cossack chaika emerges in Lviv, Ukraine. Lviv artist and blacksmith Vasyl Kachmar ideates the project in collaboration with the “Kish” society, and lays the foundation for building the chaika “Presviata Pokrova”.
  • Under the leadership of Vasyl Kachmar, the “Kish” society and a group of enthusiasts from various parts of Ukraine construct the chaika in Lviv. The design includes a sail-and-motor setup, 20 oars, and 6 falconet cannons.
  • The chaika is launched, and the first expedition, titled “Ukrainian Sea”, begins, covering a route through Kyiv, Kherson, Istanbul, Athens, Naples, and other European cities.

1994-2001

Encounter with the Atlantic Ocean and New Expeditions

  • “Presviata Pokrova” embarks on a voyage to London, where it draws significant interest from the international maritime community.
  • The chaika participates in international maritime festivals in France, including Brest.
  • The chaika continues its expeditions, visiting Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, and concluding its journey on the shores of Ukraine.
  • A genuine Cossack chaika, dated to 1738, is discovered at the bottom of the Dnipro River. Its design is nearly identical to that of the reconstructed “Presviata Pokrova”, confirming the historical accuracy of the project and elevating its significance.

2004-2008

Expeditions in the Baltic Sea and Europe

  • The “Ukrainian Baltic” expedition begins. The chaika participates in a Sea Song Festival in Poland, then sails via the Vistula River to Warsaw and Gdańsk.
  • Journeys continue to Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, and Denmark. The President of Ukraine visits Chaika.
  • “Presviata Pokrova” embarks on long maritime voyages across the Baltic Sea, visiting Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.
  • The chaika participates in international regattas and maritime festivals in France and the Netherlands.

2011-2022

Challenges and Restoration

  • The chaika is moored in the port of Pont-Aven (Finistère, France), where it begins to deteriorate due to a lack of maintenance. Its wooden hull and engine suffer damage, and after a long period of inactivity, the boat’s hull starts to collapse.
  • The restoration process begins, led by the chaika’s team.
  • The project gains support from a new ambassador, the IT company N-iX, which becomes the chaika’s ambassador.
  • After three years of repairs, “Presviata Pokrova” is back on the water but is unable to return to Ukraine, first due to the pandemic and then because of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

2023-2024

Journey to London

  • In 2023, the reconstruction of the chaika “Presvyata Pokrova” began, led by Myron Humynetskyi and supported by volunteers from Ukraine, with contributions from French friends.
  • In September 2024, “Presvyata Pokrova” embarked on its new voyage after restoration. The journey started in the French city of Châteaulin, passed through Brest, Guernsey, Calais, Portsmouth, and ended in London.

Voyage History 1992 – 2024

The crew of the "Presvyata Pokrova" has participated in dozens of competitions, festivals, film shoots, and celebrations. The chaika's team was warmly welcomed in various ports, with people showing interest in the culture and customs of the Cossacks, and they were invited to concerts and celebrations of different events.

  • arrow1992 - 1998
  • arrow1999 - 2001
  • arrow2004 - 2008
  • arrow2009
  • arrow2024
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Ambassadors

The Cossack society “Kish” is a public organization dedicated to promoting Ukrainian culture from the Baroque era, particularly during the height of the Cossack state. The organization participates in cultural events, organizes trips across Ukraine with the “Vasyl Stus” cannon, and engages in various historical reenactments. The organization also takes part in the production of historical films and contributes to international projects. Its primary activity is organizing maritime expeditions on the Cossack chaika “Presvyata Pokrova”.

N-iX is a global IT company with Ukrainian roots that provides software development services and expertise in cloud solutions, data engineering, IoT, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies. The company is a technology partner for global industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of sectors, including finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, logistics, and retail. The N-iX team supported the reconstruction of the “Presvyata Pokrova” boat and became an ambassador for the project in Ukraine and abroad.