Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council, reported on 23 September that there were signs Russia was preparing a ballistic missile attack on Ukraine. He urged citizens to pay close attention to air-raid sirens in the coming days. The timing of a possible strike, its scale, the regions involved and the likely targets have not been specified.
Briefly about the main points
- Kovalenko reported signs that Russia was preparing for a ballistic missile attack.
- Kovalenko urged people not to ignore any signs of concern over the next few days.
- The official did not specify the date, time or possible targets of the attack.
- This warning does not mean that the missile launches have already taken place.
- In the event of an alarm, you should take shelter immediately.
What are the limits of the CPD warning?
Kovalenko said: «The enemy is preparing ballistic shelling, »there are signs of preparations’. He did not disclose exactly which actions by Russian troops had led to this conclusion.
The statement does not provide any details regarding the types of missile systems, the number of missiles, regions at potential risk or likely targets. Furthermore, the head of the Central Intelligence Directorate did not specify whether this might involve a large-scale attack. The public warning relates to preparations, rather than launches that have already taken place.
Separately, Kovalenko expressed the view that Russian diplomacy is dragging its feet on taking concrete steps towards a ceasefire, as Moscow has no interest in them. He did not report on any new agreements or outcomes of the negotiations.
What to do in the event of an alert regarding a ballistic threat
Spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Yuriy Ignat explained that ballistic missiles leaving only a matter of minutes to respond. According to him, Russia is using, in particular, «Iskander-M», S-400 missiles, «Zircon» and KN-23.
The State Emergency Service recommends that, once an alarm has been sounded, you should immediately proceed to the nearest shelter and remain there until the official all-clear is given. If no shelter is available, the «two-wall rule» can only reduce the risk from debris and shock waves, but is no substitute for a protective structure.
You should keep an eye on the latest information regarding potential dangers by monitoring announcements from the Ukrainian Air Force and paying attention to air-raid sirens in your area. Do not wait for further details before heading to a shelter.
