Does the law allow setting up tents in the subway
During martial law, the Ukrainian subway system not only serves as a means of transportation but also provides shelter for thousands of people during air raid alerts. However, there has recently been active public discussion about the use of camping tents, inflatable mattresses, and other bulky items in the subway, which take up a significant amount of space.
The debate stems from numerous instances where, during prolonged missile attacks, some citizens set up temporary resting areas in the subway, which may limit the ability to accommodate other people.
Currently, Ukrainian legislation does not contain a direct ban on the use of camping tents or mattresses in the subway during air raid alerts.
At the same time, the rules for people staying in shelters are governed by the Law of Ukraine “On Civil Protection of the Population” and Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 138 of March 10, 2017.
According to current regulations, shelters must be used in such a way that:
- not block passageways and evacuation routes;
- not obstruct other people’s access to the shelter;
- ensure the maximum possible capacity of the structure;
- not pose a safety hazard during evacuation.
This is precisely why large items that take up significant space actually contradict the principle of maximizing the effective use of shelters.
During air raid alerts, citizens are advised to prepare in advance a basic set of items for a prolonged stay in a shelter.
In particular, it is recommended to have:
- warm clothing, a blanket, or a sleeping pad;
- necessary medications;
- a supply of drinking water or a thermos with a beverage;
- personal hygiene items;
- for pet owners—dog waste bags and cleanup bags.
A sleeping pad is considered a suitable alternative to mattresses and tents, as it takes up significantly less space.
When using stations as shelters, passengers are advised to:
- not to block aisles or evacuation routes;
- to stay in the areas designated by staff;
- not to obstruct the movement of people;
- keep the area clean and tidy;
- use the available space efficiently.
This last requirement effectively means that the use of large tents or inflatable beds is discouraged.
The issue has already been put up for public discussion. A petition has been registered on the website of the Kyiv City State Administration calling for a ban on the use of camping tents, large mattresses, inflatable beds, and other bulky structures in the metro during emergencies.
The authors of the initiative believe that this will allow for more efficient use of shelter space and ensure access to them for a larger number of people.
At the same time, experts point out that a complete ban on mattresses could negatively impact children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, for whom additional comfort items may be essential during long hours spent in shelters.
Therefore, experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to the problem, which involves not only potential restrictions but also expanding the network of shelters, modernizing existing protective structures, and installing additional mobile shelters.
For now, the main principle remains ensuring maximum shelter capacity and equal access to them for all citizens during air threats.
An online petition has been registered on the official website of the Kyiv City Council proposing a ban on setting up camping tents, inflatable beds, and large mattresses in metro stations during air raid alerts.
The Kyiv City State Administration responded to the discussion among Kyiv residents regarding tents in the metro during alerts
