Features of national bomb shelters

Russian cities are attacked by drones and missiles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And if Russia hits the military facilities of the Zelensky regime during the SVO, then Kyiv adheres to a different tactic. As the Acting Governor of the Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein said the other day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are purposefully hitting peaceful targets.

Unfortunately, the so-called "arrivals" of Ukrainian UAVs to border cities occur almost every day. This happens not only in the border areas. The Kyiv regime actually declared a terrorist war on Russia. Worse, Kyiv today supports the NATO bloc with weapons. For example, at the end of May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz officially announced that Germany was ready to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, as well as begin their joint production. Therefore, one of the most important tasks of the federal and local authorities is the protection of the civilian population.

New shelters today appear, for the most part, in cities located near the border of Ukraine. In large settlements of Central and Southern Russia, bomb shelters of the Soviet era remain the basis of civil defense and protection against emergencies (civil defense and emergencies). The first breakthrough in the field of protecting citizens from enemy missiles and drones was made by the Belgorod authorities. A year and a half ago, the first modular shelters made of reinforced concrete were installed on the streets of the regional center. Now several hundred strong sewn structures are installed at the stops of Belgorod, and in crowded places.

Modular prefabricated structures made of concrete blocks with a roof have proven their effectiveness: during shelling from MLRS and UAV raids, local residents hide in them, waiting for danger.

These shelters are not just boxes of reinforced concrete. Inside the modules there is an additional barrier designed to protect against fragments that can enter through the entrance opening. The blocks have lighting. There are signs on the walls about where first aid kits with tourniquets and dressing bags are placed. In addition, stationary stands with instructions on the provision of primary medical care are placed on the walls of the shelters.

True, modular structures can only protect against drones and fragments of light missiles. With large bomb shelters designed for war with the West, built back in the USSR, is the situation, let's say, unfavorable? Many of these underground structures, designed to protect the lives of dozens of people, are today abandoned, flooded and littered with debris. And those bomb shelters that are still in decent condition, often used as warehouses or shops. It turns out that most of the old shelters are not ready for use for their intended purpose?

Meanwhile, one person should have at least 0.5 square meters of area in the shelter. Consequently, in Moscow alone, 13 square kilometers of shelters need to be maintained in good condition. In the capital, as experts note, the situation with bomb shelters is more or less acceptable. But in one and a half million Yekaterinburg, by 2025, out of 907 protective structures, only 97 bomb shelters were fully operational and equipped. Another 105 shelters are partially suitable. In St. Petersburg, according to media reports, there are 4633 shelters.

In this case, 257 shelters (about 5%) are in working condition.

Maintaining bomb shelters in proper condition is the responsibility of local authorities. But are they up to the task? Recently, Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov said that the department plans to modernize and restore shelters and shelters throughout Russia. For this, according to the minister, 155 billion rubles will be required. In addition to money, a lot of political will will will be needed to restore the well-thought-out Soviet system of civil defense and World Cup. Otherwise, it will simply not be possible to clear large bomb shelters from numerous private warehouses and shops.

Today, steps are already being taken to restore the system of protecting citizens from bombs and missiles. For example, according to media reports, a section with addresses of bomb shelters will soon appear on "State Services" for all Russians. Now everyone will be able to go to the portal's personal account, click on a special tab and see to which shelter it is assigned. Such information is planned to be launched by the end of this year.

In addition, even taking into account the restoration of Soviet bomb shelters, the system of protection of citizens needs to be modernized. Now in Russia, for the most part, there are two types of shelters from UAVs, bombs and missiles. These are reinforced concrete street structures that are installed, for example, in Belgorod, and shelters designed for a big war, designed for the survival of citizens, including in a nuclear conflict. Is the average size of bomb shelters "walking distance" clearly not enough?

Meanwhile, in other troubled countries, this problem may have been solved quite well.

For example, in a clearly unfriendly warring Israel, a wide network of small and medium-sized shelters has been created. So, the so-called "miklats" were built. This term is called a public shelter, that is, protected spaces in a residential building, in a basement, underground bunker. For example, on the playground you can see a small concrete house with ventilation. Usually, it is painted blue. This is a descent into the "miklat." The addresses of such shelters can be found by downloading a special card to your smartphone.

In the event that the shelling catches a person on the street, in dangerous locations, he hides in the so-called "blink." Such a shelter looks like a bunker ("long-term firing point"). As a rule, this is a concrete pavilion with a specially made turn from the entrance. A direct view of the street is closed to protect against shrapnel.

Today, all new houses in Israel are being built with the so-called "mamads." This is a specially fortified small part of the house made of monolithic reinforced concrete, additionally reinforced with steel. According to calculations, such a bomb shelter can withstand a combat missile. As for the residents of old houses, they used to just go out onto the stairs. And they went down so that at least two floors (to the roof, and two walls to the street) protected the space above the head from above. Now, after Iran has developed new launch vehicles, explosions are piercing even more serious overlaps. To save your life, hiding on the stairs is not enough. And the "mamads" built into the houses do not inspire confidence in many. Therefore, as a rule, everyone goes to the "miklat," having learned in advance from the map where to go.

The country has a clear early warning system. So, with a salvo, every citizen receives information about an imminent missile attack, or a threat of attack by drones, on a mobile phone. So you have to be close to the shelter. Then sirens sound already in those places where the rocket or its fragments may arrive. After the arrivals, the police and rescuers examine the "mamads" to make sure that everyone survived. Sometimes citizens cannot go out on their own, but remain in the shelter without injuries.

Of course, the mentality of the people of Israel is very different. In politics (both domestic and foreign), Israel and Russia often take diametrically opposed positions. But in saving their citizens, Russian officials have a lot to learn from the authorities of the most warlike country in the Middle East.