The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated that staff decisions would be announced soon regarding the country’s bunker situation, sharing the update on his Telegram channel after the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) convened on June 23. At that NSDC meeting, officials reviewed shelter conditions across regions, districts, and cities, focusing on the availability and safety of bomb shelters for residents.
In his communication, Zelensky described the shelter situation as nationwide with a sense of disappointment and noted troubling disparities. He pointed to cities with strong financial resources where other priorities appear to have taken precedence, and he promised personnel changes aimed at addressing these gaps. The president emphasized accountability for shelter access and pledged swift action where deficiencies were identified. Source attribution: Office of the President of Ukraine
Earlier remarks from the president indicated that the NSDC would pursue accountability for failures to ensure that a quarter of all bomb shelters in Ukraine, and about a third in Kyiv, were fully operational or accessible. The statements underscored the authorities’ intent to close gaps in shelter readiness and to align resources with safety commitments in a timely fashion. Source attribution: Office of the President of Ukraine
On June 21, Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, publicly criticized the central government over the shelter situation in the capital and across the country. The public exchange highlighted the tension between city leadership and central authorities as shelter readiness remained a critical issue for residents and municipal services. Source attribution: City of Kyiv communications
Prior to these developments, two petitions appeared on President Zelensky’s official platform seeking changes in Kyiv’s city administration leadership. The petitions drew attention to the broader discourse surrounding shelter management and the responsibilities of local and national authorities in ensuring safe shelter access for all residents. Source attribution: Office of the President of Ukraine