Shelter Contract for Kharkiv Kindergarten Valued at 132 Million UAH Faces Scrutiny Over Inflated Costs

Shelter Construction for Kindergarten in Staryi Saltiv

According to Главком: The Kharkiv Regional State Administration's Department of Capital Construction has awarded a contract worth 132.03 million UAH for building a shelter at a kindergarten in the town of Staryi Saltiv. The tender, held on March 5 via the Prozorro system, was won by 'Slobozhanska Budivelna Kompaniia Sargon' LLC. The project's planned completion date is set for the end of 2027.

Project Specifications and Concerns

The construction involves a single-story, buried anti-radiation shelter for 155 people at the 'Barvinok-100' kindergarten in Staryi Saltiv, Chuhuiv district. The town is situated 17 km from the Russian border and 45 km from Kharkiv. As of February, only 13 preschool-aged children resided there. The project scope includes the shelter and several additional elements:

• A canopy for a diesel generator;
• Construction of utility and sports grounds;
• Renovation of children's play areas;
• Landscaping;
• Lighting installation;
• Ramps for people with limited mobility.

However, the project's budget shows inflated prices for key materials. For instance, the budget lists concrete B30 at 5,820 UAH per cubic meter, while the market price ranges from 4,100 to 4,660 UAH. Reinforcing steel class A400C is priced at 45,720 UAH per ton in the budget, compared to a market price of approximately 34,675 UAH. The budget also lists Mapegrout 450 Thixo mixture at 80 UAH per kilogram, whereas the confirmed market price is around 61 UAH. The likely overpayment for just these few items could exceed 2 million UAH.

"Regarding the specific issue of the kindergarten, whether it's advisable to build it there, we know this story... As for Staryi Saltiv, personally, I will tell the ministry that we are against implementing this project, at least at this time."

Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Regional Military Administration

This project highlights the urgent need for civilian protection infrastructure in Ukraine's frontline regions. The construction of the shelter represents a critical step for child safety in an area near the conflict zone. Nevertheless, the identified cost discrepancies raise serious concerns about the transparency and efficiency of public spending. The doubts expressed by the regional head regarding the project's current feasibility underscore broader debates about prioritizing such infrastructure given the unstable regional situation and the community's small size.