Mykolaiv has less than 5 per cent of the mobile shelters it needs
- Дар‘я Маслова
Mobile shelters in Mykolaiv do not meet the city’s needs, photo by NikVestiTwenty mobile shelters have been installed in Mykolaiv, whilst the total requirement, as determined by the city authorities, stands at 406 such structures. Consequently, the city has less than 5 per cent of the required number of primary (mobile) shelters.
This is stated in the response from Serhii Korenev, Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv, to an information request from NikVesti.
According to the response, Decision №511 of the Executive Committee of Mykolaiv City Council, dated 23 April 2025, approved the requirement for 406 primary (mobile) shelters for the city’s residents. Currently, only 20 such structures have been installed in Mykolaiv.
There are 20 mobile shelters in Mykolaiv, but more than 400 are needed, according to the response to NikVesti’s enquiryThe city council explained that, due to the community’s insufficient financial capacity, the calculations regarding the required number of shelters had been forwarded to the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration. This is necessary to include the city’s needs in the operational plan for implementing the Strategy for the Development of the Civil Defence Shelter Fund until 2034 and to secure a state grant.
A reporter from NikVesti inspected several mobile shelters in different parts of the city. Overall, their condition can be described as satisfactory, although some of the structures show signs of misuse. Rubbish can be seen in and around some of the shelters.
Mobile shelters in Mykolaiv are equipped with a CCTV system, photo: NikVesti
Mobile shelters in Mykolaiv are fitted with CCTV systems, photo: NikVestiThe uneven distribution of mobile shelters remains a separate issue. For instance, there are no mobile shelters in the area stretching from Kosmonavtiv Street to Peremohy Square, which covers a significant part of the Inhulskyi district.
The response to the information request also notes that throughout 2025 and from the start of 2026, incidents of vandalism and damage to mobile shelters were recorded in the city.
Round-the-clock surveillance of the structures is carried out by the «15-88» service using the «Safe City» CCTV system. If necessary, service staff call the patrol police.
The owners or asset managers of the mobile shelters are responsible for their operation. In particular, the costs incurred by the municipal enterprise «Mykolaivelektrotrans» for maintaining such structures consist of the wage bill for cleaners, which is reimbursed by the Social Protection Fund.
The condition of the mobile shelters is monitored by the municipal enterprise Mykolaivelektrotrans, photo: NikVestiIn March 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Strategy for the Development of the Civil Defence Shelter Network up to 2034. One of its objectives is to expand the network of civil defence shelters and ensure the public has access to them.
It was previously reported that the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkevych, had instructed officials to ensure that shelters in the city remained open to the public during air raid alerts.
Read also: «Why do Mykolaiv residents not use shelters: a survey by NikVesti».
This publication was produced within the framework of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) project “Strengthening Public Oversight,” with financial support from Norway. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Mykolaiv Media Hub” and the online media outlet “NikVesti.” This material can in no way be considered as reflecting the views of IWPR or the Government of Norway.
