Ukraine Has Changed the Air Raid Alert Rules for Businesses: How Establishments Will Operate
Ukraine has revised its air threat alert system by introducing differentiated threat levels. The new rules have also affected the operations of businesses, institutions, and organizations during drone attacks.
These changes are outlined in Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1092 of September 4, 2026, “Certain Issues Regarding the Optimization of Civil Protection and Response to Threats from Air Attack Vehicles.”
From now on, the “Air Raid Alert” signal may vary depending on the level and type of aerial threat.
The “Yellow” level indicates a drone threat—for example, when the movement of individual strike or reconnaissance drones is detected.
The “Red” level is declared in the event of:
- a massive drone threat;
- a missile threat;
- a missile-drone threat.
The Kyiv City State Administration explained that residents of the capital will receive separate alerts depending on the current alert level and type of threat.
Each new alert contains information about:
- the threat level—“yellow” or “red”;
- the type of threat—“Drone Threat,” “Massive Drone Threat,” “Missile Threat,” or “Missile and Drone Threat.”
“If the type of threat changes, a new alert automatically replaces the previous one,” the Kyiv City State Administration explained.
However, no separate “All Clear” signal is issued between different types of threats.
“For example, if a ‘Missile Threat’ alert follows a ‘Drone Danger’ alert, this means that the missile threat is now the active threat,” officials explained to residents.
The “All Clear” alert means that, at this moment, none of the listed air threats have been detected in the city.
Thus, a change in the type of threat does not mean the end of the alert. For example, a transition from a drone threat to a missile threat actually signifies a change in the nature of the threat, not its cancellation.
One of the key changes introduced by the resolution concerns business entities, regardless of their form of ownership.
If a “yellow” threat level is declared, businesses, institutions, and facilities may continue their operations.
The main condition is the availability of temporary or permanent shelter on the premises or within the building for staff and visitors.
If no shelter is available, the enterprise may still continue operations during a “yellow” threat level, but only under two conditions:
- with the consent of the workforce;
- until a shelter is set up, but no longer than three months from the date the resolution takes effect.
In other words, during this period, the owner or manager of the business must set up an adequate shelter.
The document also states: “The specifics of the operations of certain business entities are determined by a separate decision of the Cabinet of Ministers.”
The issue of visitors’ presence is regulated separately.
If a business, institution, or facility is operating during a “yellow” threat level, visitors decide for themselves whether to remain inside the building or on the premises.
Thus, a person may decide on their own to remain, for example, in a store, café, or other establishment during a drone threat.
At the same time, the new rules do not override safety requirements or the need to respond to higher threat levels. A “red” level indicates a massive drone, missile, or missile-drone threat.
Ukraine has revised its air threat alert system. Instead of a single alert signal for various types of attacks, two levels have been introduced: yellow and red. At the same time, a separate government app will be developed on the Diia platform to display up-to-date information on air threats, including the movement of drones and missiles.
On September 8, demand for taxis rose in Kyiv due to a multi-hour air raid alert. Because of public transportation restrictions and metro service issues, the cost of rides in the capital increased sharply.
On September 9, trains on the above-ground section of the Kyiv Metro’s “green” line will operate in test mode during a yellow threat level. The testing will take place on the eve of the scheduled launch of train service on this section, planned for September 10.
