Closed shelters in Kyiv: over 600 complaints registered in 2024
21 February 2025 15:30
Kyiv continues to struggle with the problems of access to shelters, which have escalated after several high-profile incidents. In particular, at the Kyiv Aviation Institute, a woman and her child were unable to get into a shelter during an air raid. Read how the authorities are responding to these problems and what steps are being taken to address the shortcomings in the article
In 2024, 613 cases were recorded in the capital when shelters were closed during an air raid alert. The relevant data was provided by the Department of Municipal Security of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) in response to an official request
To control the availability of shelters, the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) has introduced regular inspections. Employees of public utilities and Municipal Security assess the technical condition of the shelters, their logistics, and check their round-the-clock accessibility. All complaints received by the 1551 hotline are thoroughly reviewed, and any shortcomings identified are addressed.
“During an air raid, groups of patrol police and Municipal Security arrive promptly at the nearest shelters. Their task is to control access, maintain public order and ensure security at the facilities of the Civil Defense Fund.” – Oleh Kuyavsky
The results of the inspections are reviewed weekly at meetings at the Kyiv City State Administration, after which protocol orders are issued to eliminate the shortcomings. The Kyiv authorities assure that they will continue to work on improving the condition of the shelters and ensuring access to them during emergencies.
As a reminder, on February 1, there was a scandal with a closed shelter at the Kyiv Aviation Institute. During an air raid, a woman and her child were not allowed to enter a shelter located at the Kyiv Aviation Institute (KAI). A video of the incident, in which the woman argues with the guards, was shared on social media.
The footage shows the woman asking why she was denied access to the shelter and the opportunity to use the toilet. The guards said that they could not let people through without a corresponding order from their superiors.
“If they give the command, we’ll let them in. If they start yelling, we’ll let everyone in,” the guards said in the video.
Ksenia Semenova, the acting rector of the KAI, responded to the situation, saying that the institute was not involved in the incident.
She explained that on the territory of the institution on weekends, events are held by the tenants of the Center of Culture, who can hire their own security. Semenova emphasized that the organizer of the event violated security rules, and the video showed security guards hired by the tenants.
