The Verkhovna Rada Wants to Continue Working Without Interruptions During Air Raid Alerts: Here's What They're Planning

The Verkhovna Rada Secretariat announced this on August 31, and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko released details regarding the possible conversion of the basement.

At the same time, the Rada Secretariat did not specify exactly what decisions they plan to adopt or whether this involves moving plenary sessions to the shelter.

According to Sternenko, due to frequent air raid alerts, they plan to set up workspaces for deputies in several rooms and hallways in the basement. This should allow voting to continue uninterrupted during air raid alerts.

According to him, separate rooms will be designated for parliamentary factions and the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada. However, some factions are reportedly already dissatisfied with the allocation of spaces.

Earlier, MP Olga Vasilevska-Smaglyuk had spoken out about the need to move the Rada’s work to shelters. According to her, due to constant interruptions during air raid alerts, the pace of passing bills—particularly those related to European integration—“has dropped significantly.”

She noted that during the upcoming session week, parliament is scheduled to consider a number of bills related to European integration and funding from international partners.

Currently, during an air raid alert, the Rada’s plenary sessions are suspended, and lawmakers proceed to shelters. The new working format is intended to allow parliament to continue voting without interruption due to the threat of missile and drone attacks.

As a reminder, since August 27, Russia has been carrying out massive shelling in several regions of Ukraine, causing delays in train service. In the capital, air raid sirens have sounded at least 12 times.