Questions about the Ukraine air raid map
What the map shows, why the markers behave the way they do, and where its accuracy ends.
Where does the data on the map come from?
From public posts of open Telegram channels that monitor the air situation over Ukraine. The service works out the threat type, the place and the direction from the text, and merges posts of different channels about the same object into one target. More on the about page.
Is this an official alert source?
No. The map does not replace air raid sirens, the official Air Alert app or official channels. Take cover on the official air raid alert, not on a marker here.
How precise is a marker's position?
It is a rough guide, not radar. Channels post approximately and with a delay, and between posts the position is estimated: it assumes the object keeps flying the same way. The longer since the last post, the larger the error. Tap a target to see its uncertainty zone — the area where the object may actually be.
What does the time next to a target mean?
The estimated time to arrival at the reported destination. It does not account for changes of course, manoeuvres or air defence, so it is an estimate, not a forecast.
Why did a marker turn grey?
There have been no posts about the target for a while and its estimated lifetime has run out. The marker freezes where the estimate put it at that moment, loses its ETA and its trail, and disappears a few minutes later. Removing a marker is better than showing an invented one.
Why did a target disappear from the map?
Either an all-clear was posted, or the target's lifetime ran out with no new posts. Each type has its own: longer for a drone, minutes for a ballistic missile.
What are “expected” threats?
Threats that are not in the air yet but were announced in advance — for example, bombers taking off and an approximate launch window. They are shown separately: an outlined marker in the launch area, a tab of their own and a countdown to the start of the window.
Why did two markers merge into one?
Because several channels posted about the same object, and the service merged their reports into one target — otherwise one group of drones would look like three. Each target names the channel it was last reported by.
Why is one object shown as a group?
Channels do not always give a number. When there is none, the target is labelled in the plural (“Shaheds”), because the post does not say how many there really are.
Do you collect data about visitors?
The site has no ads, no ad pixels and no third-party trackers, and no sign-up: we do not know who you are and do not try to find out. Nothing you do on the map is stored.
Why are there no guided bombs on the map?
Guided aerial bombs are deliberately not tracked: seconds pass between the post and the impact, so a marker would appear after the event. Showing it would give a false sense of warning.
How can I support the project?
Through Donatello — card, Apple/Google Pay and crypto. Donations cover the server and the model that reads the posts. The project is non-profit and has no ads.