New Underground Parking Lots in Ukrainian Residential Complexes Now Classified as Dual-Purpose Shelters

Modern Underground Parking as Protective Space

According to Главком: According to Ivan Pereginets, Director of the Scientific and Technical Center of the Academy of Construction of Ukraine, newly built residential developments now feature underground parking and basement areas that serve a dual function. These spaces are designed to operate both as standard parking facilities and as protective shelters. Under updated building regulations, such areas are mandatory in all new construction projects.

Massive Strike on Kyiv

On the night of May 14, Russian forces launched a large-scale combined attack on Kyiv. Several districts were hit, including:

• Shevchenkivskyi
• Pecherskyi
• Darnytskyi
• Dniprovskyi
• Obolonskyi
• Solomianskyi
• Desnianskyi
• Sviatoshynskyi
• Holosiivskyi

The assault killed 24 people, including three children, and wounded 48 others.

Search and rescue operations in the Darnytskyi district lasted over 28 hours. Ivan Pereginets emphasized that modern building codes require basements and similar spaces to meet strict safety standards.

“Mostly they are used either as simple basements or as gyms. But the requirement is that they be designed as shelters. The Ministry of Emergency Situations registers these shelters, and in each building they must comply with safety regulations,” said Ivan Pereginets.

It is worth noting that more than half of Ukraine’s multi-apartment housing stock consists of panel buildings, which are highly vulnerable to missile and drone strikes. Consequently, the need for safe shelters in new buildings is becoming increasingly urgent amid growing threats.

As the war continues, ensuring safety in residential buildings has become a critical priority for protecting civilians. Building shelters into new developments not only aligns with current construction standards but could also save lives during future attacks. This underscores the necessity of adapting building codes to Ukraine’s security realities, especially given the fragility of older panel structures that make up a large portion of the country’s housing.

As the threat of missile and drone strikes increases, understanding the vulnerabilities of Ukraine's residential infrastructure becomes essential. Recent reports reveal that over half of the country's apartment buildings are constructed from precast concrete, rendering them particularly susceptible to attacks. This highlights the urgency of implementing dual-purpose designs in new constructions to enhance civilian safety.