---
title: "Why sirens wail after the strike: Sergey 'Flash' Beskretnov reveals the mechanics of the warning system"
description: "Advisor to the Minister of Defense Sergey 'Flash' Beskretnov explained why sirens sometimes wail after a strike or trigger falsely. 🚨 The problem lies in the speed of missile flight and the specifics of satellite surveillance of launch sites. An analysis of the mechanics of the warning system. 🛰️🇺🇦"
date: 2026-07-14T22:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sergey-flash-beskretnov-explains-why-air-raid-sirens-lag
tags: [sergey-flash-beskretnov, ukraine, kyiv, missile-alert-system]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Why sirens wail after the strike: Sergey 'Flash' Beskretnov reveals the mechanics of the warning system

![Sergey 'Flash' Beskrestnov holds a portable alert device and power unit, demonstrating components of the siren system](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/14/sergey-flash-beskretnov-explains-why-air-raid-sirens-lag/sergey-flash-beskretnov-explains-why-air-raid-sirens-lag-1.webp)

In the context of a constant missile threat for the residents of Ukraine, the functioning of the warning system is critically important. However, in practice, situations often arise where the alarm signal triggers only after the missile has landed, or conversely, a false alarm sounds. Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Sergey 'Flash' Beskretnov explained the technical reasons for these discrepancies in a comment to RBK-Ukraine.

### Data sources and the human factor

According to Beskretnov, information about the preparation for a launch or the actual launch of missiles is received by Ukrainian control centers from foreign partners. The mechanism for obtaining this data remains classified, but the logic of the system's operation is clear. The main intelligence tool is satellite surveillance of launch sites and systems for recording launch events.

"None of us knows or should know how they obtain this information, but one does not need to be too smart to understand that the main source of information is satellite surveillance," the advisor noted.

### The physics of time: why the signal may be late

The main reason why sirens may sound only after a missile has fallen is the extremely short reaction time. Beskretnov pointed out that a ballistic missile covers the distance to Kyiv in just 2–4 minutes. In this time window, any delay in data processing becomes fatal.

The information transmission system is not perfect. Any technical failure at the stage of data transmission from the satellite to the operator leads to a delay. If the signal arrives with a delay of even a few dozen seconds, it may not have time to warn the population before the moment of impact. "No system can be perfect, so failures occur, and the alarm signal may be late," Beskretnov explained.

### The phenomenon of false alarms

The situation is often the opposite: sirens wail, but no missile strike follows. The advisor explained this by the specifics of satellite intelligence. Satellites record visual activity on launchers that precedes the launch. However, this does not guarantee that the launch will take place.

"This happens because satellites record actions on launchers preceding the launch of missiles, but the launches themselves may not happen for some reason," Flash said.

As an example, Beskretnov cited the situation with the 'Oreshnik' ballistic missile. "Remember how many times a false alarm sounded for 'Oreshnik'? This is also reconnaissance satellites visually recording activity on the launcher, but whether a launch will occur or not is unclear," he added.

### Context of escalation

Explanations of the warning system's operation came against the backdrop of intensified attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Earlier, Sergey Beskretnov had already warned about the danger of the 'Banderol' cruise missile, noting that Russia is scaling up the production of this weapon. During mass shelling of Kyiv, Russian troops used a new loitering munition capable of flying up to 500 km and carrying up to 150 kg of explosives.

Incidents of alarms triggering late or false signals have been recorded in Kyiv repeatedly. Similar incidents were recorded on the night of July 8, as well as on July 11, when ballistic missiles struck the capital.