Zelensky: Ukraine to introduce two-level air raid alert system
Ukraine plans to reform its air raid warning system by introducing yellow and red threat levels with distinct signals, following changes in Russian strike tactics.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country's air raid warning system will be updated to include two threat levels — yellow and red — each signaled differently. The decision follows a discussion with Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky on response measures to changing Russian strike tactics.
According to Zelensky, people need to clearly understand exactly what they are facing and how to respond. The specific threat indicators that will trigger a yellow or red alert will be determined weekly by the General Staff and the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the government, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service.
As a baseline, the yellow level will correspond to drone raids, while the red level will indicate missile danger, including the threat of ballistic strikes and massed attacks. The sound signals used to warn of air raids will also change depending on whether the threat level is yellow or red.
Aim: greater predictability
Zelensky said the main goal of the changes is to give people and businesses in Ukraine more predictability and a clearer understanding of how to react in each specific situation. He also instructed officials to work out a more precise geographic differentiation of alerts, so that warnings and responses are limited to the area where a real threat actually exists.
The reform is being prepared as Russia has been carrying out prolonged jet-drone attacks on Kyiv over the past week. Russian strikes on Kyiv on September 2 injured ten people and damaged a university building, five residential buildings, a kindergarten and warehouse facilities.
