Kharkiv's Hidden Heroes: The Real Story Behind Air Raid Sirens

In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, a secret team of civilian specialists operates a vital, yet clandestine, air-raid siren system. These individuals, working in a secure underground facility, are responsible for alerting residents to incoming threats, a task many assume is automated.

With Kharkiv located just 20 miles from the Russian border, the city faces frequent attacks. To combat resident complacency and improve accuracy, Kharkiv implemented a novel differentiated siren system in early 2025. This system, costing half a million dollars, ensures sirens sound only when the city itself is the direct target.

The operation is highly demanding, requiring specialists to monitor threats like guided bombs and drones. They must activate citywide sirens within seconds of a threat entering a designated perimeter. The system utilizes two-mouse workstations, with one specially designed to trigger the city's over 500 sirens, switched off after each use to prevent accidental activation.

This new system has already proven its worth, halving the number of alarms compared to the broader region and ensuring timely warnings. The city's Department of Emergency Situations lauded the system's success, regretting that other Ukrainian cities have not yet adopted similar measures.