An air raid alert circulated across Ukraine, with official notices confirming the event and guiding residents on safety measures. The notification was published on the country’s official alert system, assuring the public that authorities were tracking and communicating developments in real time.
According to the service, the first sirens began in Kyiv at 12:11 local time, which corresponds to 13:11 in Moscow time. Four minutes later, the red alert extended to every region in the country, signaling a nationwide alert sequence and prompting citizens to seek shelter and follow official instructions for remaining safe.
During the night of February 21, reports emerged from areas under Kyiv’s control of explosions in Kherson. Earlier, alarms and sounds of explosions were heard in the city of Chuhuiv in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, indicating ongoing combat activity in multiple frontlines and critical infrastructure zones.
On February 19, there were a series of explosions noted in the Ukrainian cities of Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi, accompanied by a countrywide air raid warning. The events highlighted the persistent volatility of the security situation and the constant need for vigilance among residents and local authorities alike.
Since October 10, 2022, when Russian forces intensified strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, the country has faced coordinated attacks targeting energy, defense, military, and communications sectors. Cumulatively, this period has seen daily air raid warnings in various regions, and in some instances warnings covering the entire territory as the conflict expanded and evolved. This pattern underscores the exposure of critical networks to disruption and the strain placed on emergency response services and civilian safety planning across the nation.
In discussions about Ukraine’s strategic alignment, Kuleba, who previously led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, voiced questions about the prerequisites Kiev would need to fulfill for NATO membership. The remarks reflected ongoing conversations about security guarantees, alliance engagement, and the broader geopolitical considerations shaping Ukraine’s defense and diplomatic posture during a time of intensified regional tension.