Snihurivka residents complain about the lack of shelters
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- Julia LukyanenkoReporter
Residents of Snihurivka complain about the lack of shelters. Screenshot from a video by Suspilne. MykolaivThere is a shortage of shelters in Snihurivka. The city administration has identified the Soniachnyi district as the best prepared: there are shelters in the basements there. The market and the town centre are the least protected. The administration says there is a shortage of staff from municipal services to set up the shelters.
This is reported in a feature by «Suspilne. Mykolaiv».
There was nowhere to take cover during the shelling
Two Russian «Banderole» missiles struck behind the shop where Marina, a local resident, works. She explained that people who were at the nearby market at the time did not know where to take shelter.
«People also rushed into the shop, asking where they could take shelter. I said: «Come in, of course.» But everything was getting hit. Yes, people were terrified. Then there was a second wave of shelling. They immediately ran to the other side; people were lying on the ground. Some were running and screaming. A great many people were looking for somewhere to take shelter. It was market day. But, unfortunately, there was nowhere to hide,» said Marina.
Another resident of Snihurivka, Olena, believes that shelter has become a more frequent necessity in the town recently.
«In the market area, there isn’t any shelter at all — neither a makeshift one nor one where you can actually take cover. There’s nothing,» noted Olena.
Residents say there is nowhere to take shelter near the market. Screenshot from a video by Suspilne. MykolaivLocal resident Yevhenii explained that there is a shelter near the local council offices, but it is kept locked.
«It’s a kilometre’s walk to the nearest shelter. That’s the one mentioned, but it’s not in use. The one right next to our local council building is only open during council opening hours. That’s it. Then it’s locked. There are no shelters. People who know which basement is theirs can take shelter there. Our community is suffering from constant attacks by various types of drones and missiles,» said local resident Yevhenii.
What the city administration says
The head of the city’s military administration, Oleksandr Pavlov, said that they plan to install two mobile shelters near the market in Snihurivka.
«A request for mobile shelters was submitted back in the summer. Just a couple of days ago, I received a call from the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration and they approved it. Two mobile shelters for 50 people. We’re going round, checking all the basements and any other places where we can set up these basic shelters. And this work is currently underway,» said Oleksandr Pavlov.
One such shelter is located in the basement of a high-rise block. Residents said that the old sewerage system has now burst there. Following the latest shelling, the premises are being kept open.
Oleksandr Pavlov, head of the city military administration. Screenshot from a Suspilne video. MykolaivThe Snihurivka municipal community’s website contains information about shelters. There are currently 29 of them: 18 in Snihurivka and 11 in other settlements within the community.
The head of the city’s military administration noted that there is a shortage of staff at the municipal utilities to speed up work on setting up additional shelters.
«There must be at least two shelters in every district. That’s for sure. The Soniachnyi district is the best covered in terms of shelters. Shelters have been set up in the basements there. The most vulnerable areas, however, are the market and our town centre. We will now be focusing our efforts on these areas,» said Oleksandr Pavlov.
As a reminder, on the afternoon of 10 October, Russian troops attacked an industrial infrastructure facility in Snihurivka, in the Mykolaiv region. Initial reports suggested that the attack was carried out using «Banderole» missiles. Two women, aged 54 and 82, were injured. Both were hospitalised.
