Air Raid Alerts in Kyiv
How to get air raid alerts in Kyiv, what the yellow and red threat levels mean, where to find shelter, and how the city operates during an alert.
An air raid alert is an official warning of an aerial threat. When one is issued, follow official updates and head to a shelter.
Since September 6, 2026, Kyiv has used a differentiated alert system. Alerts now show not only that there is a threat, but also its current type and level.
If you’re visiting Kyiv for the first time, install an alert app in advance and check where the nearest shelter is to your hotel, apartment, or anywhere else you plan to spend time.
How do you know when there is an air raid alert?
Air raid alerts in Kyiv are announced through city sirens and mobile apps.
You can follow the latest updates through the free Air Alert and Kyiv Digital apps. They send alert and all-clear notifications directly to your phone.
Kyiv Digital also shows the current threat type and level. If the situation changes, a new notification replaces the previous one. There is no separate all-clear between different types of threats.
In some parts of Kyiv, the audible warning system does not yet distinguish between threat levels. The new system has not yet been introduced in the Pecherskyi district and is only partially operational in the Holosiivskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts. In these areas, you may hear the standard siren rather than a separate signal for each type of threat.
So if you hear a siren, check the latest notification in your alert app as well.
What do the yellow and red threat levels mean?
Kyiv’s differentiated alert system helps you understand what type of aerial threat is currently affecting the city.
Yellow level — drone threat.
A red level may indicate:
- a mass drone threat;
- a missile threat;
- a combined missile-and-drone threat.
An all-clear means that none of these aerial threats are currently active in Kyiv.
If the threat changes, a new notification automatically replaces the previous one. For example, a missile threat notification may follow an earlier drone threat alert.
A yellow level does not mean there is no danger. Whatever the level, follow official alerts and instructions from emergency services.
What should you do during an air raid alert?
The safest option during an air raid alert is to head to a shelter and take any essential items you may need.
Shelters can include metro stations, underground passages, underground car parks, and specially equipped basements in residential or administrative buildings.
You can find the nearest shelter through the Air Alert and Kyiv Digital apps or on the Kyiv shelter map.
If you are at home and no shelter is nearby, stay as far from windows as possible and follow the “two-wall rule.” This means there should be at least two solid structural walls between you and the street, rather than thin interior partitions.
It’s also a good idea to check the route to your nearest shelter in advance and save it offline, as GPS can sometimes be unreliable during air raid alerts.
How does Kyiv operate during an air raid alert?
From September 10, 2026, the way some parts of the city operate depends on the current threat level. Rules may vary depending on the type of transport, venue, or situation.
Metro
How the Kyiv Metro operates depends on the line and the threat level.
During a yellow level, the Syretsko-Pecherska, or Green Line, operates without restrictions, including the section across the Pivdennyi Bridge between Kyiv’s right and left banks.
During a red level, service on the Green Line’s open-air section is suspended. Trains continue to operate on separate sections on either side of the Dnipro River.
The Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska, or Red Line, operates on a limited basis during an alert. Passenger service continues on the underground section between Akademmistechko and Arsenalna.
Underground metro stations can also serve as shelters.
Service may change as the threat level changes, so listen to announcements at stations and on trains and check the latest city updates.
Surface public transport
From September 10, buses, trolleybuses, and trams continue to operate during air raid alerts.
However, delays, road closures, or last-minute route changes may still occur because of traffic or the security situation.
If you need to travel between Kyiv’s right and left banks, allow extra time.
Shops, restaurants, and shopping centres
During a yellow level, shops, restaurants, shopping centres, and other businesses may remain open.
Venues with a permanent or temporary shelter available for staff and visitors on the premises may continue operating during a yellow level.
There is no single rule for every venue, so pay attention to staff announcements and follow the procedures of the place you are visiting.
Theatres, concerts, and other events
Entertainment and sporting events held outdoors or at venues without a shelter may be restricted.
If you have tickets to a concert, theatre performance, or another event, check the organiser’s latest updates before leaving. Start times or programmes may change because of the security situation.
Bridges and travel between the two banks
Traffic continues across most of Kyiv’s road bridges during an air raid alert, although temporary operational restrictions may apply to some crossings.
In particular, temporary restrictions may affect the Pivdennyi and Podilsko-Voskresenskyi bridges.
If your route crosses the Dnipro, check the latest traffic conditions before setting off.
Taxis
Taxis continue to operate during air raid alerts, but cars may be harder to find and fares may rise depending on demand and traffic conditions.
This is especially worth keeping in mind when travelling between the right and left banks.
GPS and online maps
Online maps and navigation apps in Kyiv can sometimes show the wrong location. This can happen because electronic warfare systems may interfere with GPS signals.
Your phone may place you in another part of the city or even far outside Ukraine.
To avoid relying entirely on GPS when you need it most, download an offline map of Kyiv in advance.
In this video, we show you how to do it in Google Maps.
Don’t rely only on what people around you are doing
You may notice that not everyone in Kyiv heads to a shelter when an air raid alert is issued.
People who have lived in the city throughout the war respond to risk in different ways. But the behaviour of people around you is not a reliable indication of how safe the situation is at that moment.
If you are unfamiliar with the local context, rely on official alerts and instructions from emergency services.
Frequently asked questions about air raid alerts in Kyiv
A yellow level means there is a drone threat. You can check the current threat type in the Kyiv Digital app.
A red level may indicate a mass drone threat, a missile threat, or a combined missile-and-drone threat.
An all-clear means that none of the aerial threats covered by Kyiv’s alert system are currently active.
If the situation changes, a new alert will be issued.
Yes, but service depends on the line and the threat level.
During a yellow level, the Green Line operates without restrictions, including the section across the Pivdennyi Bridge. During a red level, service on its open-air section is suspended.
During an alert, the Red Line continues passenger service on the underground section between Akademmistechko and Arsenalna.
Yes. From September 10, 2026, surface public transport continues to operate during air raid alerts.
However, delays or last-minute route changes may still occur because of traffic or the security situation.
They may be. During a yellow level, venues can continue operating under the new rules, including those with a permanent or temporary shelter available for staff and visitors.
It is best to check the status of the specific venue you plan to visit.
Vehicle traffic continues across most bridges, although temporary operational restrictions may apply to some crossings. These may include the Pivdennyi and Podilsko-Voskresenskyi bridges.
Check the latest traffic conditions before travelling between the two banks.
Kyiv Central Railway Station continues to operate. During an alert, boarding, arrivals, and access to some parts of the station may be affected.
Listen to station announcements and follow staff instructions. For more information, see our guide to Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, one of the longest air raid alerts in Kyiv and the Kyiv region lasted 10 hours and 31 minutes, overnight on November 28–29, 2025.
