Air raid alerts to become more precise: what will change in cities

Ukraine is preparing a significant change to the air raid alert system: threats will be divided into yellow and red levels, and rules for transport, business, government institutions, and city infrastructure will depend on the actual degree of danger. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a report by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky.

According to the president, the changes are a response to Russia's new tactic — lengthy drone attacks aimed not only at striking targets but also at paralyzing the daily life of cities and economic activity.

Baseline yellow level is planned to be announced during drone raids. Red level will be used in case of missile danger, including the threat of ballistic strikes, as well as during massive attacks.

Specific criteria will not be fixed. The General Staff and the Air Force, together with the government, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State Emergency Service, will weekly determine which threat indicators correspond to yellow and red levels.

Air raid signals will change

Different sound signals will be provided for the two levels of danger. According to Zelenskyy, the system should allow people to clearly understand what exact threat has arisen and how to respond to it.

One change has already taken place: the repeated sounding of sirens when an air raid alert is lifted has been canceled. Now the siren sounds when the alert is declared, and more distinct and distinguishable signals for different threat levels are being prepared.

The authorities also intend to more precisely define the geography of alerts. Zelenskyy instructed to develop a system under which restrictions would be imposed precisely in that part of the city, district, or other territory where the threat objectively exists.

Business will be able to continue operating at yellow level

The government, local authorities, military, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and State Emergency Service are to develop clear criteria that would allow government institutions, local governments, enterprises, and individual social and economic facilities to continue operating during the yellow level of threat.

Thus, the mere fact of an air raid alert will not necessarily mean a uniform halt of all urban and economic activity. The specific regime will depend on the nature of the danger.

At the same time, the government and local authorities must revise the standards for the placement of shelters in cities, communities, and infrastructure facilities. The plan includes more actively incorporating mobile and modular shelters into the system.

Zelenskyy instructed the Prime Minister to prepare additional business support measures that would allow for faster installation of modular shelters and refurbishment of premises in accordance with updated safety requirements.

Kyiv metro operation will change and curfew will be shortened

Special changes are being prepared for Kyiv. During the yellow level of threat, the Syretsko-Pecherska, or green, metro line should operate fully.

The city authorities are also to significantly increase the number of ground public transport. It will compensate for the suspension of traffic on the Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska metro line during alerts and duplicate the route between the “Lisova” and “Dnipro” stations.

In addition, Kyiv plans to shorten the duration of the curfew. Authorities in other cities will also be asked to review its time frame taking into account real security needs and the needs of residents and businesses.

Zelenskyy has not yet named the specific new curfew hours.

School rules will not change

It has been decided to leave the rules for the education sector, including schools and kindergartens, unchanged. According to the president, the organization of the educational process should primarily consider the safety and interests of children and parents.

For medical institutions, the Cabinet of Ministers is to provide additional financial support measures so that state and municipal hospitals can maintain the necessary level of operation.

Additionally, the authorities are introducing a weekly audit of current threat response algorithms. The government, local authorities, and businesses will regularly review measures considering changes in the nature of Russian attacks. Military and law enforcement structures and state-owned companies will also be involved in this work.

Some of the announced measures still need to be formalized in regulations, so the new rules and the two-level alert system do not yet mean an immediate change in the regime across the entire country.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zhytomyr Oblast Military Administration