Veteran activist Oleksandr Shevtsov is challenging illegal fences erected around the estate of former President Petro Poroshenko in the village of Kozyn [1].
The dispute centers on the legal right of citizens to access natural water bodies. Under Ukrainian law, the public is guaranteed free access to water, but activists said elite estates in the Kyiv region are blocking these paths [1, 2].
Shevtsov said that fences, known as parkans, have been installed around the property to restrict movement along the banks of the Kozyn River [1, 2]. These barriers effectively privatize the riverbank, preventing locals and visitors from reaching the water [2].
This confrontation is part of a broader effort to hold wealthy landowners accountable for land-use violations. The activist said that the installation of these fences is a direct breach of national regulations that protect public environmental access [1, 2].
Reports published on July 31, 2026 [1] indicate that the fences remain in place. The situation highlights a recurring tension in the Kyiv region between the privacy of high-profile residents and the statutory rights of the general public to enjoy natural resources [2].
Shevtsov said he has called for the removal of the barriers to restore legal access to the river [1]. The former president's estate remains the primary focus of this specific challenge to the legality of the perimeter fencing [2].
“Illegal fences have been erected around elite estates in Kozyn, blocking public access to the Kozyn River.”
This conflict reflects a systemic struggle in Ukraine over the rule of law and the influence of the political elite. When high-profile figures are accused of bypassing environmental and land-use laws, it serves as a litmus test for the country's judicial independence and its commitment to equitable public access to natural resources.
