Russian shelling can begin suddenly, catching a person off guard in an open area. In conditions of constant threat, it is critically important to know a clear algorithm of actions that can save a life. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) regularly publishes recommendations on how to behave during a sudden missile or artillery attack.

Finding Shelter and Safe Zones

If you have at least a few minutes before the active phase of the shelling begins, you need to get to a specialized bomb shelter as soon as possible. Subway stations, underground pedestrian crossings, or deep underground parking lots are also excellent options. If there are no such capital structures nearby, the SES advises looking for natural terrain depressions or reliable stairwells in nearby capital buildings that can provide at least partial protection from shrapnel. It is strictly forbidden to stay in the middle of an open street, near glass storefronts, or under billboards.

Correct Posture When Falling to the Ground

In a situation where explosions are sounding directly next to you and there is no time left to look for shelter, you must immediately lie down on the ground. The SES recommends taking the safest possible posture: lie on your stomach, cross your legs to reduce the area of vulnerability, cover your head with your hands, close your eyes, and be sure to open your mouth slightly — this will help equalize pressure during a powerful blast wave. You must not raise your head without extreme necessity until the explosions and sounds of falling debris completely stop.

Child Protection and Additional Safety Measures

Special attention should be paid to minors during shelling. If the attack catches you together with a child, the first thing to do is to place them in the nearest depression and cover them with your own body, after which you should take a protective posture yourself. Rescuers also remind that vehicles (cars and buses) are not reliable shelters, so you must leave them immediately. It is forbidden to hide under bridges and overpasses due to the high risk of their collapse.