A regular meeting of the Working Group on Public Security, Recovery, and Social Cohesion was held in Kherson. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Kherson City Military Administration, law enforcement agencies, the State Emergency Service, municipal utilities, civil society organizations, and international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the “Razom for Ukraine” Charitable Foundation, and other organizations.
The meeting focused on the current security situation in the city, the needs of utility services, the police, and rescue workers, and the search for practical solutions to help reduce risks for people who work daily under the constant threat of Russian shelling and drone attacks.
Opening the meeting, Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson City Military Administration, emphasized that one of the community’s top priorities today is the safety of utility workers, who are the first to arrive at the sites of Russian strikes to address the aftermath, restore electricity, water, and heat supplies, clear debris, and carry out emergency repair work.
During the discussion, participants noted that the nature of the threats facing civilian services is constantly changing. Whereas artillery shelling used to be the main danger, today FPV drones, remote-controlled mines, and explosive remnants of war pose an increasing risk. Tasks such as mowing grass, clearing up after shelling, repairing roofs, and working in the city’s green spaces have become particularly dangerous. Just recently, several municipal workers sustained serious injuries—including traumatic amputations—while performing their duties.
That is why one of the key issues discussed at the meeting was providing workers with additional personal protective equipment. Among the priority needs identified were lightweight body armor, personal first-aid kits, tourniquets, modern drone detectors, anti-shrapnel film for public transportation, and special protective footwear for workers performing tasks in potentially mined areas or damaged buildings. The needs of the police and the State Emergency Service were discussed separately, as their personnel regularly work under the threat of follow-up strikes and are often the first to arrive at strike sites to rescue people.
An important topic was preparing personnel to work in conditions of constant danger. Participants noted the need for regular practical first aid training tailored as closely as possible to the real-world conditions in Kherson. This primarily involves practicing procedures for stopping life-threatening bleeding, using tourniquets correctly, packing wounds, and evacuating casualties before medical services arrive. Particular attention was paid to the need for refresher training, as municipal utility staff is constantly changing, and the skills acquired require regular reinforcement.
Public transportation safety was also discussed during the meeting. Representatives of the city government and municipal utilities emphasized the importance of continuing to equip buses and trolleybuses with special shatter-resistant film, which significantly reduces the risk of injury to drivers and passengers from glass shards after explosions. Separately, they explored the possibilities of using new anti-drone protection measures and other technical solutions that could enhance the safety of workers performing outdoor tasks.
Significant attention was also given to public information security. The participants agreed to continue working on updating and distributing practical informational materials for Kherson residents regarding what to do after shelling, procedures for obtaining assistance, rules of conduct during drone attacks, and fire safety. It was also proposed to develop a unified safety guide for the city that would systematize information on key risks, action plans, and available assistance services.
UNDP representatives informed participants about planned support for the police, State Emergency Service units, and the local fire department, as well as new grant opportunities for implementing safety initiatives in communities across the Kherson region. At the same time, they emphasized that Kherson’s needs far exceed its available resources, so coordination among government agencies, municipal services, civil society organizations, and international partners is critical.
During the meeting, participants were informed that the “Union” Foundation is continuing a series of training sessions for heads of OSBB (condominiums) and residential quarters on drone, mine, and fire safety, as well as first aid; upon completion, participants will receive fire extinguishers for their buildings.
Additionally, thanks to the collaboration between the Kherson City Military Administration and the Union Foundation, the informational booklet “What to Do After Shelling: A Step-by-Step Guide” was updated, and new informational materials on drone defense and fire safety following shelling were prepared, which will be distributed among community residents.
The Working Group members agreed to continue coordinating among all stakeholders, jointly address new security challenges, and seek additional resources to protect critical service workers and the civilian population. It is precisely this kind of collaboration that enables a rapid response to changes in the security situation and ensures the city’s uninterrupted operation even under constant threat.
