The draft state budget of Ukraine for 2027 provides for 263 million hryvnias to build a special underground shelter for the Verkhovna Rada. This refers to a secure space designed to enable MPs to continue parliamentary business, hold sittings and conduct votes during air raid alerts and the threat of missile strikes. The draft 2027 state budget was registered with the Verkhovna Rada on 15 September under No. 16000, and on 16 September it was presented at a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Budgetary Matters.
- The 2027 budget has allocated 263 million hryvnias for a shelter for the Rada.
- The premises must be equipped to allow voting to take place.
- The amount may still change during the budget deliberations.
There are plans to fit out a secure chamber for the Rada
The planned shelter is not intended to be merely a place where MPs will wait out an air-raid alert. The plan is to create a specially equipped underground space designed to enable Parliament to function fully.
In particular, MPs will be able to continue their sessions and vote even in the event of a missile or other airborne threat.
The cost of constructing such a facility in budget plans The following is planned for 2027 263 million UAH.
The 2027 budget is only just being considered
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft State Budget for 2027 on 15 September. Total budget revenue is projected at 5.648 trillion UAH, and expenditure — 7.272 trillion UAH. The security and defence sector remains the largest area of expenditure, with the government proposing to allocate 4.885 trillion hryvnias to it.
On the same day, Bill No. 16000 was officially submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. As of 16 September, it is being considered by parliamentary committees, so the expenditure proposed by the government is not yet final.
During further consideration, MPs may table proposals and amendments, after which the budget must be put to a vote in the Verkhovna Rada.
The issue of parliamentary security remains a pressing one
The Verkhovna Rada continues to operate during martial law, whilst air raid alerts and the threat of air strikes are having a direct impact on the organisation of plenary sessions.
In August, parliament also approved, at first reading, a bill aimed at improving access to protective structures during a state of emergency. The bill sets out additional requirements to ensure the safety of citizens in the event of hostilities.
The creation of a separate, secure premises for Parliament should ensure that the legislative body’s work is not interrupted, even during prolonged air raid alerts.
At the same time, it will only be possible to speak definitively about the allocation of 263 million UAH once the budget has gone through all stages of parliamentary scrutiny and the law on the State Budget of Ukraine for 2027 has been passed.
