Ukraine plans to create a separate government app based on «Diia», which will inform citizens about air raid alerts, the movement of attack drones, «suicide drones» and missiles. This was announced by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi. The new service is set to become the sole official source of information on current air threats.
Briefly about the main points
- A separate government app on air threats is to be developed on the «Diia» platform.
- The service will provide alerts about threats, the movements of «suicide drones», other drones and missiles.
- The information must come from an official government source.
- The app is being developed as part of new guidelines for responding to Russian air strikes.
- The launch date and technical format of the service have not yet been announced.
What the new app will show
Koretsky stated that the new service would be created as a separate government product based on «Diia».
According to him, the app will keep citizens informed about:
- the declaration of an air-raid alert;
- an imminent air threat;
- the «shahid» movement;
- other enemy drones;
- the movement of missiles.
The Prime Minister explained that the main aim is to create a single information platform on current threats and to provide people with information directly from the state.
We are talking about a separate application, rather than simply a new section in the current version of «Dii». At the same time, the government has not yet stated whether it will include a detailed interactive map, how accurately it will show the direction of movement of targets, or the delay with which the data will be updated.
The information must come from the government
Koretsky emphasised that the new product is set to become the official primary source of information on air threats.
This is particularly important given the large number of Telegram channels and monitoring resources that are currently publishing real-time information on the movements of Russian UAVs and missiles.
The government wants to set up a state-run channel where citizens can receive up-to-date information about threats without having to check several external sources at once.
However, Koretskyy did not specify which organisations would be responsible for feeding data into the service — the Air Force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Service or a separate state centre.
The app will form part of the new alarm system
The announcement of the new service coincided with a change in the approach to air raid alerts in Ukraine.
Government introduces two levels of air hazard:
- yellow — primarily in the event of a threat from attack drones;
- red — in the event of a missile, ballistic or combined attack.
At the yellow alert level, some businesses will be able to continue operating provided that staff and visitors have access to shelters. At the red alert level, businesses and organisations must cease operations, and people must make their way to shelters.
There are also plans to use different warning signals for the two levels.
Why is the government changing the system?
These changes are linked to a new tactic employed in Russian attacks, whereby small groups of strike UAVs can remain in the airspace for hours, causing prolonged states of alert in major cities.
As a result, transport, business, the operations of public services and parts of the infrastructure come to a standstill, even when the nature of the threat is different from a large-scale missile strike.
Koretsky stated that the aim of the new system is — to safeguard people’s safety whilst preventing protracted attacks from paralysing the country’s economic life.
When will the app be launched?
As of 4 September, the government did not specify a particular launch date.
Similarly, it has not yet been announced whether users will need to download a new app separately from the App Store or Google Play, or whether they will be able to log in via their existing «Diia» profile.
The technical specifications have not been disclosed either: the accuracy of target movement tracking, the refresh rate of the information, the level of geographical detail, and the ability to receive separate alerts depending on the type of threat.
At the same time, the government has already confirmed a key principle: Citizens are to be provided with a dedicated government service offering official information on air raid alerts, the movements of Russian drones and missiles.
