Campaign Materials Appear in the Metro
Campaign materials bearing the 'Klitschko – Mayor' logo have once again been distributed throughout the Kyiv metro system. This is part of a series of similar campaigns observed in the capital's subway in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Journalist Natalia Lebid reported on the appearance of these promotional newspapers. In March 2024, a campaign newspaper was noted in the city, with a single copy featuring 21 photographs of Vitali Klitschko. Across four columns of the publication, Klitschko and his brother Wladimir were pictured in various situations. The client for the March 2024 print run was listed as V.V. Klitschko, with a circulation of 15,000 copies.
Criticism and Public Reaction
According to available data, users on the social network X (formerly Twitter) began posting photos of the campaign materials in the metro in August 2025. Then, in February 2026, campaigners with printed materials reappeared in the subway. Over the 12 years of Vitali Klitschko's tenure as mayor, not a single new metro station has been opened in the capital, and a 2016 promise to remove privately-owned minibuses (marshrutkas) from the streets remains unfulfilled.
Data from the Kyiv City State Administration's Health Department indicates that approximately 180 Kyiv residents seek treatment at trauma centers daily, with about 20% requiring hospitalization. However, the campaign literature focuses on positive changes, such as road construction and winter preparedness. As a representative noted,
“This is so you don't forget that Klitschko is the mayor. The newspaper is about victory and management: roads are being built, preparations for winter are underway,” – Spirin.Thus, campaigning for Klitschko continues despite the mixed results of his leadership in the capital.
The distribution of these materials in the metro signals an intensification of Vitali Klitschko's pre-election campaign. Facing criticism over unmet pledges, he continues to highlight his administration's achievements. This push likely aims to bolster his public image ahead of potential elections, capitalizing on the significant public interest in his governance. The metro campaign has become a notable part of a communications strategy designed to foster a positive perception among Kyiv's residents. As mayor since 2014, Klitschko's long tenure is a central theme in these materials, which contrast his stated accomplishments with the criticisms of his opponents.