Councillor Yermolaiev on permits for kiosks in Mykolaiv

A kiosk installed for 10 years. Photo: NikVesti

Andrii Yermolaiev, director of the Department of Internal Financial Control, Supervision and Anti-Corruption of the Mykolaiv City Council, said that permits to install kiosks in Mykolaiv are granted to «selected entrepreneurs», while others are denied lease renewals, even if the kiosks are located nearby.

In particular, on his Facebook page, he stated that the city council's decisions on kiosk leases are «selective».

«I wrote over a year ago that recently, permits to install kiosks in Mykolaiv have been granted to a select few. The same 'lucky ones' who receive dozens of permits for kiosks are easily traced through the decisions of the city council. But then the land looters had a problem: how to drive entrepreneurs into their booths. The solution came quickly — refuse to renew the leases of the rest, but renew their own booths. And it doesn't matter that most often these kiosks are located literally side by side. The screenshots show how the kiosks standing next to each other have completely different fates,» said Andrii Yermolaiev.

Andriy Yermolaev announced the "selective" renewal of kiosk leases. Screenshot from the city council's decision

Andriy Yermolayev announced the "selective" renewal of kiosk leases. Screenshot from the city council's decision

According to him, the architecture department works in a «manual» way, citing violations «allegedly committed by some kiosks» in its refusals, while other kiosks located nearby do not have these violations.

«We refuse strangers, but continue with our own, and for 10 years at once. The 'manual' architecture department 'churns out' the necessary conclusions and moves forward. Moreover, the refusal lists a multitude of regulations that the kiosk violates, but the kiosk next to it, which is 'ours', somehow miraculously ceases to violate them. What's even funnier is that the chief architect, Polyakov, proudly signs the refusals himself. But he makes his subordinates sign the approvals so as not to get himself into trouble. I think the law enforcement agencies have something to work on here. It looks very much like «abuse of power or official position» by a group of people,» added Andrii Yermolaiev.

NikVesti correspondents visited the place Andrii Yermolaiev was talking about. At the intersection of Bohoiavlenskyi Avenue and Dmytro Kremin Street, Mykolaivpresa LLC received permission to install a kiosk for 10 years, while individual entrepreneur Nina Balanutsa was denied. There is already a new kiosk on the site, installed just a metre from the road.

The kiosk is located one metre from the road at the intersection. Photo: NikVesti

The kiosk, located one metre from the road at the intersection. Photo: NikVesti

A kiosk located one metre from the road at an intersection. Photo: NikVesti

We asked Mykolaiv's chief architect, Yevhen Poliakov, for his comments to find out his position.

«In 2025, on our own initiative, we decided to make the procedure more transparent and in line with modern standards. Therefore, the development of such an act was included in the work plan for 2026. We have already analysed the practices of some cities. In my opinion, this is transparent, and in this version, the right is granted to those who have paid more money to the city budget for the right to place advertisements. After discussions, we will carry out the procedure for developing a regulatory act that provides for mandatory steps on what to do and how to do it. Then a decision will be made by the session. The final project is a joint effort. [...] Terms: these are lease agreements that contain such requirements, corresponding to the session's decision. My opinion is that such rules are outdated and there is a need to provide for a different procedure, which we are working on — the right to auction for a certain period without extension,» said Yevhen Poliakov in a comment to NikVesti.

Chief architect of Mykolaiv Yevhen Poliakov. Archive photo: NikVesti

When asked why one entrepreneur is denied permission for the same location while another is granted a 10-year permit, Yevgeny Polyakov did not respond.

We would like to add that on his Facebook page, Yevgeny Polyakov noted that Mykolaiv is working on updating the procedure for processing documents for temporary structures. According to him, the current system, which is over 10 years old, «no longer meets modern requirements and creates unnecessary bureaucracy».

Yevhen Poliakov said that the new rules provide for:

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• an open list of locations approved by the city council;

• obtaining the right to place structures through auction;

• clear requirements for the appearance of the structure and landscaping.

According to him, this will allow for the organisation of urban space, simplify procedures for businesses, and increase revenues to the community budget.

«That is why, since the beginning of 2026, work has begun on updating the procedure for registering temporary structures. This is a planned activity — in 2025, this option was included in the list of plans for the development of regulatory acts for 2026 (a complicated procedure for preparing new rules in accordance with the law),» said Yevhen Poliakov.

In Mykolaiv, they are working on updating the procedure for registering temporary structures. Screenshot from Yevhen Poliakov's Facebook page

As a reminder, in Mykolaiv, the kiosk that was installed on Soborna Street was moved to a parking lot. The Department of Architecture stated that it is no longer responsible for dismantling it, and that the police and parking inspection should respond to the situation.

As is known, a new «booth» was installed at the corner of Soborna and Pavla Skoropadskoho streets (formerly Admiral Makarov Street). Yevhen Poliakov subsequently responded to the installation of the kiosk, calling its owners «utterly inadequate». At the same time, he noted that the kiosk would be dismantled and that the paperwork was currently being processed. Yevhen Polyakov promised to forward the materials regarding this object to the relevant services.