The Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) may prohibit people who descend into the subway during Russia's missile and drone attacks on the capital from bringing and setting up tents. This was stated on June 2 by the agency's spokesperson, Kateryna Pop, during a broadcast on one of the Ukrainian TV channels, reports UNN.
According to her, during night alerts, a problem of lack of space arises in the subway: some people set up tents, making it harder for others to find space in the shelter.
Regarding capacity, as you know, the metro is transport and critical infrastructure. It is difficult... to talk about increasing the capacity of the metro. But, given the need, it is advisable to speak specifically with the management of the Kyiv Metro and explore such a possibility. Or (introduce – ed.) certain optimal restrictions for the comfort of all residents who move to the metro,
Details
The agency's spokesperson added that the problem of lack of space in the capital's subway, which turns into a shelter at night, is urgent and could even be discussed at public hearings.
In addition, Kateryna Pop called on citizens and guests of the capital to respect those nearby in the shelters during night missile and drone attacks and to care for their comfort as well.
It is necessary to (behave – ed.) as tolerantly as possible so that more people can find a place during an air raid alert and be safe,
What preceded this
On the night of May 2, 2026, during Russia's missile and drone attack on Ukraine, the Kyiv Metro sheltered a record number of people – 41,000 residents and guests of the capital.
People on the station platforms began to run out of space because it was occupied by bulky tents, mattresses, and even folding beds that people brought to the shelter to wait out the night in safety. Disputes and quarrels immediately began to arise between people.
Many people began to write about their impressions of the night in the metro and the behavior of their forced neighbors on social media:
- “'Majors' with tents should be banned from entering the metro. Either let them take in at least three (people – ed.), or get out. A petition needs to be created.”
- “A woman cut a man's (tent – ed.) because he took her regular spot where four people always lay before him.”
- “Residents of Kyiv, Shevchenkivskyi district (Dorohozhychi station) are forced to stand in the metro for more than an hour during large-scale shelling, saving themselves and their children.”
- “Everyone showed up with (tents – ed.) the size of a house, took up a bunch of places where more people could have sat and (saved – ed.) their lives.”
- “I understand, tents in the metro are very convenient, but if it's a tent that takes up half the metro, it's not really 'cool' anymore, is it?”
- “Tents are a disaster. Their use must be banned.”
5,000 fine and confiscation: a petition against tents in the metro was registered in Kyiv
Today, June 2, people registered a document on the electronic petitions website of the Kyiv City Council demanding a ban on the use of tourist tents, inflatable beds, and bulky mattresses at metro stations during air raid alerts to ensure maximum shelter capacity.
Petition No. 14277 was created by Natalia Tyts. The woman demands that the city government:
- introduce an official ban on the deployment of tourist tents, inflatable beds, mattresses, and other bulky sleeping equipment that limits the usable area of metro platforms and passages during alerts;
- introduce administrative liability for violating this rule in the form of a fine of 5,000 hryvnias with confiscation of the specified property;
- obligate police officers and station duty officers to carry out constant monitoring, promptly identify violators, demand the folding of such objects, and draw up relevant administrative protocols.
In the area occupied by one such tent or mattress (where only 1-2 people are located), 4 to 10 people could sit safely and relatively comfortably. Due to the selfish use of space, other citizens, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children, lack space,
After the record night in the metro: Kyiv City Council talks about banning tents in shelters
Kyiv City Council deputy Ksenia Semenova is convinced that in the situation with tents in the metro, it is not the people who brought them to the shelter who are to blame, but the Kyiv authorities, who in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Armed Forces have not equipped comfortable and safe shelters for citizens and guests of the capital.
Why did quarrels start in the metro over places during the alert? Over all the years of the war, the city has not built a single new shelter, hoping that everyone who really needs to will fit into the metro,
She also emphasized that the metro management did not improve the situation either.
"The metro didn't even try to organize the space for the period of night attacks. Consequently, the space is organized by people on the principle: first come, first served," the Kyiv City Council deputy added.
Tents, mattresses, and quarrels over space: how they want to organize shelters in the metro
On the official Facebook page of the utility company "Kyiv Metro," it was noted that the underground had already accepted a record number of people that night – 41,000, including 4,500 children.
They also addressed metro passengers and all those who descend into the metro as a shelter.
During long air raid alerts, when tens of thousands of people take shelter at metro stations simultaneously, it is important to care not only for your own comfort but also for the safety and convenience of others. Station platforms have a specific size, so it must be used rationally so that there is enough space for everyone. Also, bulky items that may hinder the free movement of passengers should not be brought to the shelter,
In addition, people were reminded of safety rule violations during a possible evacuation, which would be unavoidable due to bulky mattresses and tents.
It is important to ensure evacuation routes. In the event of an emergency, the passage must remain open for the safe and prompt movement of people. Tents can significantly complicate the use of evacuation routes,
How to use the metro during an air raid alert: advice given to people
Representatives of the Kyiv Metro gave people who use the underground as a shelter several recommendations on how to behave.
In order to stay in the underground overnight, it is necessary to:
- arrive at the station before it closes for entry (detailed operating hours for each station are available via the link in the comments);
- inform staff and the police that you plan to stay all night;
- descend to the platform. Station staff will advise on the best place to settle.
To make staying at the stations at night safer and more comfortable, all citizens were advised to have with them:
- warm clothes, blankets, and sleeping mats, as the average temperature in the shelter is 17–18°C, and there may be drafts due to tunnels and other underground spaces;
- personal medication and a bottle of water;
- hygiene products (wet and dry wipes);
- for pet owners – pads and bags.
People were also asked, if possible, to choose central metro stations for shelter, where fewer people are present during an air raid alert.
Reminder
On the night of June 2, Russia carried out a massive combined attack on Ukraine, using 73 missiles of various types and 656 strike drones. The main direction of the strike was Kyiv; Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava region, and other regions were also under attack. As a result of the shelling, more than 10 people were killed and over 100 were injured.
According to the Air Force, radio-technical troops recorded a total of 729 drones and missiles with which the aggressor attacked the country. Russian troops used 8 3M22 "Zircon" anti-ship missiles, 33 "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles, 27 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 5 "Kalibr" cruise missiles, as well as 656 Shahed-type strike UAVs, "Gerbera," "Italmas," "Banderol" loitering munitions, and "Parody"-type decoy drones.