Civil Defense Shelter Coalition
In May 2025, Ukraine and Finland jointly established a Civil Defense Shelter Coalition aimed at strengthening civil protection systems. This alliance brings together 12 countries, the European Union, and various international organizations, focusing on safeguarding civilians, particularly in frontline areas. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo have urged partner nations to join this effort and support shelter construction initiatives underway across Ukraine.
Funding and Project Implementation
To date, coalition partners have mobilized over €32 million to build shelters in schools, kindergartens, and hospitals situated in conflict-affected regions. Construction projects are currently active in cities including:
- Chernihiv
- Kozelets
- Sumy
- Balta
- Pokrov
- Kherson
- Mykolaiv
Serhiy Koretsky emphasized the urgency of expanding reliable shelters, especially for children, due to daily missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities:
"Russia targets Ukrainian cities every day with missiles and drones, so we must urgently increase the number of secure shelters, particularly for children." - Serhiy Koretsky
On May 27, a joint declaration to launch the Shelter Coalition was signed in Kyiv by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. A key component of this initiative is the Civil Defense Protective Structures Fund Development Strategy, approved by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers and valued at 789.3 billion hryvnias. Most of the strategy’s implementation relies heavily on international aid.
Prime Minister Koretsky also highlighted the importance of attracting new coalition members and backing specific projects to protect lives:
"Together with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, we have called on partner governments to join the Civil Defense Shelter Coalition and support joint efforts to restore and build shelters where they are most urgently needed." - Serhiy Koretsky
Through these efforts, the Civil Defense Shelter Coalition aims to significantly enhance civilian safety amid ongoing threats.
The formation of this coalition marks a critical advancement in Ukraine’s security infrastructure, particularly in the face of persistent Russian aggression. By leveraging international support and partnerships, Ukraine is bolstering its capacity to protect vulnerable populations in frontline areas where the risk of attacks remains high. These shelter projects not only save lives but also improve the country's overall readiness for emergencies.