Online Petition Calls for Restricting Camping Gear in Subway Shelters
An electronic petition, registered as No. 14277 on the Kyiv City Council website, seeks to prohibit the use of camping tents, inflatable beds, and mattresses inside metro stations during air raid warnings. The petition was submitted on June 2 by author Natalia Oleksandrivna Tyts. As of the time of this report, it has garnered 395 signatures out of the 6,000 needed for official consideration, with 59 days remaining in the collection period.
What the Petition Proposes
The initiative calls for a formal ban on setting up tents, air mattresses, inflatable beds, and other bulky sleeping equipment that significantly reduce usable space on platforms and in corridors. Violators would face an administrative fine of 5,000 Ukrainian hryvnias and confiscation of the items. Additionally, the petition urges police officers and station attendants to actively identify such setups, demand their removal, and file administrative reports.
This proposal gained urgency following a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of June 2, when over 41,000 people—including nearly 4,500 children—sought refuge in metro stations. The petition’s text states:
'The area taken up by just one tent or mattress (accommodating only one or two people) could safely seat four to ten individuals. Because of this selfish use of space, other residents—especially the elderly, pregnant women, and children—are forced to sit on cold escalator steps or in passageways. Shelters must be accessible to everyone, not turned into a campground at the expense of others’ safety.' Natalia Oleksandrivna Tyts
The petition therefore calls for stricter oversight in the metro to ensure comfortable and safe conditions for all citizens during air raid alerts.
This initiative highlights a pressing need for safety and comfort during emergencies, particularly amid wartime conditions. If adopted, it could mark a significant step toward better organizing metro shelters—an especially critical concern for vulnerable populations. The outcome of this petition may influence future policies on public safety during air raid warnings.
In light of recent events, the situation in the metro has escalated, prompting authorities to take action. Following a night attack that led to significant overcrowding in subway shelters, a ban on camping gear in the metro was swiftly implemented to ensure safety and accessibility for all commuters. This decision highlights the urgent need for effective regulations during air raid alerts.