Why the two-wall rule no longer saves lives: how to protect yourself during shelling in Ukraine in 2025

The “two-wall” rule no longer guarantees safety during rocket attacks in Ukraine. Find out how the threats have changed, why shelter is needed, and how to protect yourself while in the country

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At the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the advice to “stay between two capital walls” became one of the basic rules of survival. However, the realities of modern warfare have changed. Due to the increased use of Shahed strike drones, high-precision missiles, and aerial bombs, this rule has lost its effectiveness. As reported by RBK-Ukraine, Pavlo Petrov, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv, emphasized that staying in a bathroom or hallway does not guarantee safety today — and here's why.

What is the “two walls” rule and how did it work?

The “two walls” rule means that there should be at least two solid walls between you and the street. This means that the “safest” places to be are the bathroom, hallway, closet, or dressing room. This principle was indeed helpful during artillery shelling and explosions at a distance, reducing the chances of being hit by a blast wave and debris.

Its effect spread both horizontally and vertically. Accordingly, the most dangerous places were the upper floors, and the safest were the first floors, basements, or shelters protected on all sides.

Why does the two-wall rule no longer work?

“People still believe that staying at home and waiting it out is a panacea. However, the enemy is not only increasing the number of strike drones, but also strengthening their combat capabilities,” says Petrov. Here are a few reasons why two walls will not protect you during an alarm:

1. Strike drones and missiles destroy buildings

According to State Emergency Service spokesman Pavel Petrov, modern weapons with enhanced combat capabilities can penetrate more than two walls. Shahed-136, Iskander, and Kalibr missiles and aircraft bombs are capable of completely destroying apartment buildings, from the roof to the foundation.

Even if a person is hiding in a hallway or bathroom, a direct hit completely destroys the building. Cases where not only apartment residents but also those in basements are trapped under rubble are becoming more frequent. As a result, basements, which many considered to be a safe shelter, are also becoming traps — they are buried under debris from the structures above.

In addition, the spokesperson added that in the event of a direct hit by a “shahed” on a house, the premises can burn down in a matter of minutes, and rapid localization of the fire is often impossible due to the extremely high temperature.

2. Cluster munitions and secondary threats

Cluster munitions strike a large area at once. They can hit the roof or the surrounding area, and then the debris pierces ceilings and windows, causing fires. Even if a person is not at the epicenter, they can die from secondary factors: gas, fire, smoke, or structural collapse.

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What to do during an alarm: modern survival rules

In 2025, the best option is to take shelter. After all, a “second wall” will not save you if you are hit by a drone or missile. These can be:

1. Special shelters, parking lots, subways. Look for places with concrete ceilings and minimal windows. The best options are bomb shelters, underground passages, or underground parking lots.

2. Stairwells. If you don't have time to get to a shelter, move to a stairwell near an elevator. These structures are usually reinforced (however, this is only an alternative option that should be used as a last resort when you are unable to reach a protected shelter).

3. Street (in some cases). If you live in the suburbs, outside the city, or near large forest belts, you can wait out the danger on the street (in parks, plantations, or ditches). The most important thing in this case is to lie down on the ground — this reduces the risk of being hit by debris by 10 times.

Another important rule: always have an emergency kit handy. Documents, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a power bank should all be packed in a single backpack that is easy to grab in case of danger.

If you are planning a trip to Ukraine, be sure to take out adequate insurance, as visitors to the country are at no less risk than local residents. We recommend purchasing insurance that covers military risks, which will cover medical expenses in case of injury, evacuation, or medical needs in critical situations. You can purchase insurance that covers war risks online on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Which houses are considered the safest?

● Monolithic buildings are considered the most stable due to their solid construction.

● Brick houses are more stable than panel houses, but they also do not guarantee protection.

● Panel houses are the most dangerous: in a direct hit, entire sections can collapse instantly.

We remind you! Mobile internet may be temporarily shut down in Ukraine during “suicide bomber” attacks due to the active use of Ukrainian networks by Russians for navigation and data transfer. Read about how drones use SIM cards, what the military thinks, and what restrictions are being discussed in parliament in our previous article.

Photo: Getty Images

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