A nearby shelter could replace a company’s own: government prepares new rules for businesses
The deadline for setting up is proposed to be extended until March 4, 2027
Stores, cafés and other businesses in Ukraine may be allowed to forgo building their own shelters if an accessible shelter with sufficient capacity is nearby. This is provided for in an initiative by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, published on October 29.
The proposed changes would allow businesses to use shelters outside their premises. However, the shelter must have enough space for all employees and visitors who are on the premises at the same time. Both employees and visitors must know where the nearest shelter is located.
Protection requirements are also planned to be linked to the number of people at a site: a small store and a large shopping centre would have different requirements. Possible solutions include:
- basic safe spaces;
- mobile shelters;
- access to nearby underground shelters.
Another part of the government’s proposal is to extend the transition period for setting up shelters. Businesses currently have until December 4, 2026 to meet the requirements. The proposed new deadline is March 4, 2027.
By the proposed new deadline, military administrations are to gather information on businesses’ progress in meeting the requirements. However, the extension would not mean that the safety requirements are being scrapped.
The Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are to explain the detailed requirements for businesses.
We previously reported:
- Businesses during air raids: Mykolaiv entrepreneurs invited to discuss new rules
- Shelters are unaffordable: entrepreneurs ask the Cabinet of Ministers to change requirements for businesses
- City Center is open again in Mykolaiv: the shopping mall will not close during every air raid alert
- Stores will not close for every “Shahed”: Cabinet of Ministers changes air raid alert rules
- Residents of frontline cities urged to avoid large shopping centres amid threat of strikes





