The Ministry of Health of Ukraine confirmed that emergency ambulance services continue to operate 24 hours a day during air alerts and curfews [2].
This clarification addresses public concern and rumors regarding the availability of critical medical care during active military hostilities. Because medical personnel face increased risks during shelling, clear communication regarding response protocols is essential for public safety.
Vitaliy Krylyuk, director of the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency Medicine and Disaster Medicine of the Ministry of Health, said the services remain operational [1]. He was joined by Viktor Zabashta, director of the Emergency Care Center, who said how the system functions under martial law [1].
Recent reports and social media discussions suggested that ambulances might not arrive during air raid sirens [1]. However, officials said that the service remains active and responds to calls even during the restrictive hours of a curfew [2]. The continuity of these services is designed to ensure that life-saving interventions remain available to the population regardless of the security situation.
While the risk to paramedics is higher during active alerts, the Ministry of Health said that the service does not cease operations [1]. The goal of these statements is to dispel misinformation that could lead citizens to avoid calling for help during medical emergencies [2].
“The Ministry of Health of Ukraine confirmed that emergency ambulance services continue to operate 24 hours a day during air alerts and curfews.”
The Ukrainian government is actively managing the information environment to prevent a 'chilling effect' where citizens might hesitate to seek emergency care during alarms. By explicitly debunking rumors of service suspensions, the Ministry of Health aims to maintain public trust in state infrastructure and ensure that the fear of military activity does not exacerbate preventable medical fatalities.
