Back in September 2014, during the acute phase of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, Viciebsk human rights activist Leonid Svetik appealed to the Viciebsk city executive committee. It asked him the address of the nearest bomb shelter equipped. To get a plausible answer, it took time.

Officials of Viciebsk City Executive Committee readdressed the application of human rights activist in the city Department of Emergency Situations. From the local Emergencies Ministry department response to human rights activist became known that in the city of Viciebsk are no special shelters for the civilian population in the event of sudden onset emergencies. Either they are there, but their existence and location secret.

Leonid Valentinovich the answer is not satisfied, and he made a proposal to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus. HRD ministry proposed to organize an information campaign to bring information to the public about the immediate protective shelters, which they can use if necessary.

Answered Leonid Svetsik First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Vasily Stepanenko. He thanked human rights activist for the "active position in the field of civil defense and protection of the population and territories from emergency situations" and explained that, in accordance with the current legislation provides shelter population in the defenses of civil defense in the basement and ground floors of residential buildings. Also, the deputy minister informed that in case of a threat of chemical attack or radioactive contamination Lenin Street in Viciebsk Leonid V. himself, his family and other citizens will be able to take refuge in the basement of the Lenin library or in the basements of other nearby houses.

"The tragedy of the war in the Donbass region, where military operations are conducted in the big cities, showed that the population in order to survive, need to know where you can shelter from artillery strikes. Therefore, the aim of my complaints to the authorities have been receiving information about the location of civil defense structures located near my home. I hope viteblyane follow my example and learn the MOE, where the nearest bomb shelter, "– commented on his insistence human rights.

Lyavon Efremenko