War in Ukraine: safety rules for Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories

Some areas in Ukraine remain temporarily occupied by the enemy. In order to protect your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones, the Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine опубликовал security rules for Ukrainians who are in the temporarily occupied territories.

Who is primarily at risk?

Experts report that in the temporarily occupied territories, the occupiers collect personal data of citizens for their further persecution and intimidation. First of all, they fall under the scope military personnel, members of their families, as well as social activists, journalists and cultural figures. Information is collected under the pretext of "population census" or when distributing "humanitarian aid". However, sometimes the invaders also collect information about ordinary civilians in order to use this data in holding fake referendums.

How to protect yourself?

• Do not share your personal data and original documents with anyone.
• Warn friends and family who may be at risk of the danger.
• If possible, record cases of offenses by the occupiers and the collection of information about the local population. Do it in a safe way.

Let us remind you that if the occupiers have taken your phone and SIM card, immediately inform your mobile operator at the contact center. You can contact the operators by calling the numbers:

• Vodafone-111
• Kyivstar - 466
• lifecell-5433

Operators will block phone numbers, so the invaders will not be able to use them.

• Find out who will provide you with first aid during the occupation: hospital, ambulance, rescue service, etc.
• Cooperate with other people in the occupied territory that you can trust to get along better together. If you have the opportunity, help those who need it. Take care of people with disabilities, women with children, old people who need support.
• If you have to move around, it's best to do it on foot or by bike, and if possible, only after dark.
• Avoid places that may be mined. For example: abandoned buildings and bridges.
• Do not touch abandoned weapons, ammunition, or other unidentified items, as they may be disguised explosive devices or other dangerous items. Carefully instruct children not to touch lost toys and attractive items.
• Avoid contact with the Russian military and do not risk your life by provoking them (for example, public video or photography, aiming with a weapon-like object, public resistance).
• Protecting yourself, do not harm other people who have suffered from the occupying forces.
• Do not trust the information in the media, which will be broadcast by the occupier. This is propaganda designed to misinform and scare you. Make sure that you have access to trusted sources of information and find out the truth about the situation in the country.
• If members of your family are separated from each other during an armed conflict, report this to humanitarian organizations that help people find information and reunite families. Pass this information on to those who find themselves in a similar situation.
• Be prepared for the fact that the fights can last a long time. Take care to organize protection for yourself and your loved ones.

Take care of your cybersecurity and tell family and friends how to do it:

• Be sure to install a VPN on all electronic devices, so you can receive true information even if the occupier blocks access to it (for example, Avast SecureLine VPN, it can be connected to 5 devices).
• Use only mobile internet or secure Wi-Fi.
• Never use open Wi-Fi or one that asks for authorization.
• If possible, buy apps that check your phone for spy apps (for example: iPhone - iVerify, Android- Root Checker App).
• For your safety, use WhatsApp and Signal messengers.
• Get cards from different mobile operators in case one of the operators loses connection.
• Rename the contacts of people who participate in the resistance in the phone, think of other names for them.
• Remove anything from gadgets that could harm you or the resistance movement you are helping.
• Recommended social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Linkedin.
• Install anti-virus programs on computers (but not Russian-made). Remember - there are no computers that cannot be infected with viruses.

We have also published safety rules during shelling: what to do in the building, car and on the street.