Expert Debunks 'Two-Wall Rule' Safety Myth After Devastating Kyiv Attack

Ivan Perehinets Challenges Common Safety Assumptions During Airstrikes

According to Главком: Following a deadly combined missile and drone assault on Kyiv, a leading Ukrainian construction expert has dismissed widely held beliefs about protective measures. Ivan Perehinets, Director of the Scientific and Technical Center at the Academy of Construction of Ukraine, stated that the so-called 'two-wall rule' and seeking shelter near elevator shafts offer no real protection against a direct hit. According to him, these methods only shield against the blast wave that might shatter windows but are completely inadequate against a direct impact from a missile or drone.

In the early hours of May 14, Russian forces launched a massive coordinated attack on the Ukrainian capital, killing 24 people, including three children. The strikes hit nine districts across the city:

• Shevchenkivskyi
• Pecherskyi
• Darnytskyi
• Dniprovskyi
• Obolonskyi
• Solomianskyi
• Desnianskyi
• Sviatoshynskyi
• Holosiivskyi

A search-and-rescue operation in the Darnytskyi district lasted over 28 hours, uncovering numerous casualties. In total, 48 residents were wounded.

Perehinets highlighted the specific dangers of elevator shafts, noting that while they have some advantages due to being enclosed on one side, they also present serious risks because of higher smoke concentration.

“The same applies to elevator shafts-they have their pluses, as they are isolated on one side, but on the other hand, they have greater smoke buildup,”

he explained. The expert emphasized that fires resulting from such strikes are extremely hazardous due to smoke, and people may be unable to evacuate a building even if it remains structurally intact.

Ivan Perehinets also stressed the critical importance of making the right decisions in moments of crisis.

“It is very important to make the right decisions in those seconds and minutes. And to make the right decision, people need to be informed,”

he said. This underscores the urgent need to raise public awareness about safety protocols during wartime and the specific risks involved.

Perehinets' remarks highlight the pressing issue of civilian safety amid ongoing warfare, especially given the regular attacks on urban centers. With the high number of casualties and widespread destruction, it is not only physical safety that matters but also the population's readiness to act in emergencies. Improving awareness and providing basic safety training could significantly reduce the risks to life and health in conflict zones.

In light of the recent devastating attacks, understanding the structural vulnerabilities of residential buildings becomes crucial. A significant portion of Ukraine's apartment complexes are constructed from precast concrete, which can increase their susceptibility to strikes. This makes it essential for residents to be aware of the risks associated with their living environments. For more on this pressing issue, read about how the material composition of these buildings impacts their safety during attacks and the dangers they pose.