These are not official Home Front Command guidelines. This is a collection of insights and recommendations gathered from populations forced to live under drone threat in Russia and Ukraine. In a real event, follow the official instructions of the Home Front Command, security forces, and emergency services.
Civilian behavior under drone threat
Civilians in open areas
A short and clear list of actions for protection, distancing, and reporting. The guiding principle: get into shelter, reduce exposure, do not approach debris, and do not post information that could endanger others.
Action list
What to do during a drone threat
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When you hear or see a drone, immediately enter a building or solid shelter.
Do not wait to figure out what kind of aircraft it is. The safest action is to get out of the line of sight and get into cover.
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Do not look out from the window, balcony, yard, or roof.
These places are exposed to blast, fragments, glass, and direct observation. Curiosity during an aerial threat can be deadly.
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Use the "two-wall rule": put at least two walls between you and the outside.
The more barriers there are between you and the source of impact, the lower the risk. An interior room is safer than a room facing the street or open area.
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Preferred places are a basement, shelter, interior corridor, stairwell, bathroom, or room without windows.
These spaces are usually surrounded by more walls and less glass. The goal is to stay away from external walls and openings.
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Stay low and protect your head and neck.
Fragments and glass can cause serious injuries. Crouching or lying behind cover reduces exposure.
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Stay away from military sites, checkpoints, government buildings, power facilities, bridges, warehouses, and obvious targets.
Such places may be under observation or attack. Civilians must not remain near a location that may attract fire.
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Do not drive toward drone sounds, smoke, explosions, or anti-aircraft fire.
Driving toward the danger may bring you into an impact zone or falling debris. Move away only when it is safe and according to official instructions.
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If you are outside, look for a solid building, underground passage, trench, embankment, bridge, or thick cover.
Open ground leaves you exposed from above. Even partial cover is better than standing out in the open.
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Do not stay in the middle of a road, field, parking lot, or market.
These places provide almost no protection and may also be crowded. Move to solid shelter as quickly as possible.
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Do not gather at an impact site.
Such a site may be attacked again, contain dangerous remnants, or attract further observation. Leave room for rescue forces.
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Do not approach drone or UAV debris.
Even after falling, the remains may still be dangerous. They may contain explosives, batteries, fuel, sharp metal, or unstable components.
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Do not collect debris as a souvenir.
Such parts may be contaminated, sharp, hot, toxic, or explosive. Any military remnant is a suspicious object.
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Keep children away from drone debris.
Children do not always understand the danger and may touch a hazardous object. Move them away immediately and report it to the authorities.
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After a crash or impact, leave the area if it is safe to do so and report to emergency services.
Rescue forces need accurate information and clear access. Keeping away also reduces the risk from a follow-up strike or hazardous materials.
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Keep phones charged and enable emergency alerts.
Alerts may provide warning, instructions, and updates on when the danger has ended. A charged phone also lets you contact family and emergency services.
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Prepare a shelter bag: water, flashlight, portable charger, medications, IDs, first aid supplies, and warm clothing.
Drone and missile attacks may require extended stays in a protected space. Basic supplies reduce stress and help you remain protected.
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Know in advance the shortest route to shelter from home, work, and school.
In an emergency, you may have only seconds or minutes. Planning ahead prevents hesitation.
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During a large-scale drone attack, stay in shelter until an official all-clear announcement.
Attacks may come in waves, and temporary quiet is not necessarily the end of the event. Leaving early may expose you to a delayed strike or interception debris.
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Do not post videos of drones, explosions, interceptions, defense systems, or damage.
Such a video may reveal what was hit, what was missed, where defenses are operating, and how people are moving. Posting it may endanger others even with good intentions.
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Follow official instructions, not rumors on social media.
Rumors spread quickly during an attack and are sometimes wrong or misleading. Official instructions better reflect the local threat and the correct course of action.