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Ukraine plans to make its response to air-raid alerts more precise, with the level of threat determining how public transport, businesses and urban infrastructure operate.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the changes are being developed in response to Russia’s evolving tactics, including the increasingly intensive use of drones to place prolonged pressure on civilians and disrupt the functioning of cities.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi presented the proposed measures to Zelenskyy.
Two levels of threat
One of the main changes will be the introduction of two air-threat levels: yellow and red.
The yellow level would generally be used when drones are detected, while the red level would indicate a missile threat, including the risk of ballistic attacks or a large-scale strike.
Each level would have its own distinct audible signal, allowing people to immediately understand the type of threat and respond accordingly.
The General Staff and Ukrainian Air Force, together with the government, the Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and State Emergency Service, will determine the specific criteria for the two levels on a weekly basis.
The authorities also plan to make the system more geographically targeted, so that alerts and related restrictions primarily apply to areas facing an actual threat.
The repeated siren signal previously used to indicate the end of an alert is no longer being used. The siren now sounds only when an air-raid alert is declared, while future signals are expected to more clearly distinguish between threat levels.
What will change for businesses
The government, together with local authorities, the military, the Interior Ministry and the State Emergency Service, will establish conditions under which government agencies, businesses, local councils and other economic and social facilities can continue operating during a yellow-level threat.
This means that under a lower-risk scenario, cities would not automatically have to shut down completely.
Authorities also plan to update requirements for shelters in cities, communities and infrastructure facilities, including the use of mobile shelters.
Additional support measures are being prepared for businesses to accelerate the installation of modular shelters and the adaptation of premises to meet updated safety standards.
New rules for Kyiv
Kyiv will separately review how public transport operates during air-raid alerts.
During the yellow threat level, the Syrets–Pecherska metro line is expected to operate normally. At the same time, Kyiv plans to substantially increase the number of surface public transport vehicles.
They would compensate for the suspension of services on the Sviatoshyn–Brovarska metro line during alerts. Surface transport would also duplicate the metro route between Lisova and Dnipro stations.
Another proposed change concerns the curfew. Kyiv plans to shorten it, while other cities will also be encouraged to review curfew hours based on the actual security situation and the needs of businesses.
Schools and hospitals
Authorities have decided not to change the existing rules for the education sector for now, including schools and kindergartens.
At the same time, the government plans to provide additional financial support to medical facilities so that public and municipal healthcare can maintain the necessary level of operations.
Response protocols to be reviewed weekly
A weekly audit of threat-response procedures will also be introduced. The government, local authorities and businesses will regularly assess the security situation, update measures and coordinate further action.
Military and security agencies, as well as state-owned companies, will also take part in the process.
The goal is to ensure that safety measures can be adjusted to conditions in individual cities and communities, strengthening protection for residents while allowing economic and social life to continue wherever the threat level permits.
Kyiv is already working with the military on updated security protocols in response to frequent air-raid alerts. The city authorities are also considering changes to bridge traffic procedures during attacks.
