Missile and drone alerts are costing Ukraine an estimated $45m for every hour they force businesses to stop operating, according to the country’s Economy and Environment Minister, Oleksandr Kravchenko.
Kravchenko said repeated Russian attacks were forcing workers into shelters and bringing large parts of the economy to a standstill. He noted that air raid sirens could last for as long as 10 hours a day in some areas.
“If people are in a bunker, business stops,” the minister said, highlighting the economic consequences of prolonged security alerts.
The Ukrainian government has introduced a two tier warning system in an attempt to balance public safety with economic activity. Under the system, red alerts signal missile threats and require people to seek shelter, while yellow alerts for drone threats allow many businesses to continue operating.
Kravchenko said more than half of businesses were continuing to operate during yellow alerts, although the system does not eliminate the danger. A Russian jet powered drone recently struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv during a yellow alert, killing two people.
The minister said Russian attacks had caused about $10bn in damage to Ukraine’s fixed assets in 2026, affecting steel plants, warehouses, logistics facilities and data centres.
He added that Ukraine was preparing for a difficult winter as attacks continue to threaten energy supplies and critical infrastructure.
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