The Verkhovna Rada is preparing Bill No. 15397 for its second reading; the bill proposes installing CCTV cameras in civil defence shelters, carrying out monthly inspections of their condition, and prohibiting the use of existing shelters for cultural or domestic purposes. The cost of the cameras is to be covered by the state budget, whilst inspections are to be carried out by the military and local state administrations. As of 24 October, these provisions are not yet in force.
Briefly about the main points
- It is proposed that the cameras in the protective structures be funded from the state budget.
- The military and local authorities must inspect the shelters every month.
- They want to protect the existing buildings from being used for cultural or domestic purposes.
- The Civil Protection Fund comprises over 60,000 sites.
- The document is currently being prepared for its second reading.
What regulations are being proposed for protective structures?
The project provides for CCTV surveillance in all civil defence shelters. Once a shelter has been brought up to operational readiness, it is proposed that its use for cultural and domestic purposes be prohibited.
Requirements for the construction, maintenance and operation of shelters must be approved by Ministry of Internal Affairs. Under martial law, certain rules should apply not only to specialised shelters, but also to dual-purpose structures and the most basic shelters.
Inspections have identified technical issues within the fund
There are over 60,000 civil defence structures in the territory controlled by Ukraine. These include shelters, anti-radiation shelters, dual-purpose structures, basic shelters and mobile shelters.
According to SES, some of the premises are not ready to receive visitors. During inspections, faults were found in the ventilation and air filtration systems, as well as problems with sealing, service networks and safety devices.
Experts also noted that entrances and emergency exits were in poor condition, as well as breaches of fire safety regulations and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions. Tighter monitoring should help to identify such shortcomings before the facilities are used during air raid alerts.
The basements of buildings may be inspected as shelters
Whilst finalising the document, MPs are discussing amendments to the legislation on CONDOMINIUMS and the management of blocks of flats. It is proposed that their basements be surveyed to assess their suitability for use as shelters.
Decisions regarding such premises must be taken by the general meeting of co-owners. Following their decision, the costs of maintaining and fitting out the shelter may be included in the building management fees. These provisions are yet to be considered by the relevant parliamentary committee.
The bill is awaiting amendments ahead of its second reading
The bill was tabled on 10 July 2026, and on 19 August the Verkhovna Rada approved it in principle by 296 votes. At a working meeting on 20 October attended by MPs, the State Emergency Service, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defence and other bodies, the participants agreed to submit proposals to the relevant committee within a week.
Once the amendments have been finalised, the revised text is to be submitted to parliament for consideration. Specific requirements for shelters will be determined once the law has been passed and has come into force.
