In Ukraine, access by unauthorised persons to shelters in schools and nurseries during air raid alerts has been restricted. From now on, the shelters in pre-school establishments are intended exclusively for children and staff, whilst other members of the public will only be able to use school shelters following a specific decision by the local authorities. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the relevant amendments by Resolution No. 1288 of 15 October 2026.
Who will no longer be allowed into the shelters?
The new rules set out the procedures for the use of protective structures in nurseries and schools.
In pre-school educational establishments, shelters may only be used to protect those involved in the educational process — pupils and staff. Access to such premises by members of the public is not permitted.
The restrictions will apply in schools during face-to-face teaching. During this period shelter are intended primarily for pupils and staff at educational establishments.
At the same time, the government has provided for the possibility of sharing school shelters. This requires a separate decision by the local executive authorities or local self-government bodies.
Under what conditions will outsiders be allowed into the school shelter?
The mere availability of places in the shelter is not enough. Before granting access to other members of the public, the local authorities and the shelter’s management must ensure that appropriate conditions are in place to safeguard the children.
In particular, the following requirements are set out:
- The availability of sufficient space to accommodate other citizens.
- Demarcation of areas for schoolchildren and members of the public.
- Organising separate routes for movement, as far as possible.
- Restrictions on access by unauthorised persons to teaching premises and the school grounds.
- Providing separate toilet facilities for those involved in the educational process.
- Organising the escort of members of the public to shelters at night, at weekends and on public holidays.
If the shelter is to be used by pupils and other members of the public at the same time, the school management must ensure that the children are properly supervised.
The procedure for the shared use of a protective structure shall be determined by the entity responsible for it, taking into account the capacity of the premises and the established safety requirements.
How to find out if you can use the shelter at school
Information about school shelters available to other sections of the public should be published on the official websites of educational institutions or their founders.
The notice must specify the terms of use, the period during which the shelter will be available, and the number of places available for members of the public.
Therefore, whether you can access a specific school shelter during an air-raid alert will depend on the decision of the local authorities and the established procedures for its use.
The new rules do not remove the need to take shelter during an air-raid alert. They set out specific procedures for accessing the shelters at educational establishments, taking children’s safety into account.
