The Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) has formally requested police to investigate potential administrative violations by Maxim Bakhmatov, the head of the Desnyansky District Administration. This comes after Bakhmatov shared a post on Facebook on February 27, claiming new traffic rules for the Paton Bridge.
According to a statement from the KCSA, the post contained false information and its presentation could mislead the public into believing it was official communication. The design of the post included elements resembling city symbols, raising concerns about its authenticity. The post was widely circulated on social media and messaging platforms.
The KCSA has urged law enforcement to assess Bakhmatov’s actions under Article 173-1 of Ukraine’s Administrative Offenses Code, which pertains to the dissemination of false rumors. They have requested that appropriate legal measures be taken if warranted.
Just a day prior, city officials declared that the infographic regarding supposed new traffic regulations on the Paton Bridge was a hoax. The KCSA clarified that the bridge is currently operating under specific restrictions, including a ban on heavy vehicles and the installation of barriers prohibiting traffic in certain lanes.
Furthermore, the administration stated that specialists are continuously monitoring the structural integrity of the bridge and conducting necessary maintenance work.
In his February 27 post, Bakhmatov suggested that drivers must keep their windows down, unbuckle their seatbelts, and disable vehicle locks to cross the bridge. He described the information as informal and noted that the bridge has been deemed emergency since 2015.
As of now, Bakhmatov has not commented on the KCSA’s request to the police.
Related: Anniversary of the Paton Bridge
The Paton Bridge, which spans over 1.5 kilometers, was opened in 1953 and is recognized as the world’s first continuous welded bridge. It underwent reconstruction only once in 2004, when tram tracks were removed. Since then, only minor repairs have been conducted on various sections of the bridge.
Kyiv's City Administration has requested an investigation into Maxim Bakhmatov for sharing misleading traffic information about the Paton Bridge. The post, deemed false, has raised concerns about public safety and the integrity of official communications.