New seating areas will be installed in the Kyiv Metro for use during emergencies
The Kyiv Metro is preparing for prolonged air raid alerts and has purchased 3,600 folding chairs for passengers. They plan to use them at stations to provide shelter for people while they are in the metro, and deliveries will continue until the end of March 2027.
The Kyiv Metro has ordered thousands of folding chairs to be used by passengers during air raid alerts. In late August 2026, the municipal enterprise “Kyiv Metro” signed a contract with Soi Group LLC. Under the agreement, the enterprise is to receive 3,600 folding camping chairs with backrests.
The total value of the contract is 1.87 million hryvnias. One chair costs 435 hryvnias, excluding VAT. The chairs are to be delivered not all at once, but in several batches. The final delivery date is March 31, 2027.
What Kind of Chairs Did the Metro Purchase?
According to the technical documentation accompanying the contract, these are specifically folding camping chairs with backrests. They will have a metal frame and fabric upholstery. The design also includes a backrest and armrests.
The main advantage of these chairs is that they can be quickly folded up to free up space. This is especially important for metro stations, where hundreds or even thousands of people may gather at once during an emergency. The procurement also allows stations to be gradually equipped with additional seating without permanently occupying all available space.
Why Chairs Are Needed During Alarms
The Kyiv Metro has been used as a shelter during Russian attacks for several years now. When an air raid alert is declared in the capital, some Kyiv residents head down to metro stations to wait out the danger. If the alert lasts for several hours, people have to stay in the stations for a long time.
It is precisely in such situations that additional seating can be especially needed. This issue is also relevant for passengers who have difficulty standing for long periods of time—specifically, the elderly, children, and people with various physical limitations. Folding seats are convenient because they can be set up during an alert and then removed afterward so as not to obstruct the normal flow of passengers.
When will the seats be installed in the metro?
Under the terms of the contract, delivery will take place in batches. It may last for several months—until March 31, 2027. Therefore, all 3,600 chairs will not necessarily appear at the stations at the same time.
The specific distribution of the chairs among metro stations is not specified in the procurement data provided. At the same time, the procurement itself indicates that the metro plans to provide passengers with additional seating in advance in case of prolonged stays at stations during air raid alerts.
How much will the metro spend?
The Metro will pay 1.87 million hryvnias for 3,600 chairs. The price per chair is 435 hryvnias, excluding VAT. At the same time, the total contract amount includes tax. The procurement was conducted through the Prozorro system, where the terms of the contract and the product’s technical specifications are publicly available.
Thus, the Kyiv Metro is preparing for situations where people have to stay at stations for long periods due to air raid alerts. To this end, the municipal enterprise will purchase 3,600 folding chairs with backrests, armrests, a metal frame, and fabric upholstery. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2027. Information about the procurement has been published on the Prozorro system.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a series of decisions to adapt the operations of the government, businesses, and infrastructure to the new tactics of Russian air attacks. In particular, the government recommends ensuring the full operation of the Kyiv Metro during a yellow alert and, if necessary, increasing the number of surface public transportation vehicles so that citizens can reach their workplaces, medical facilities, and metro stations.
