Aeris Rimor and dozens of similar Telegram channels deliver near-real-time alerts about incoming Russian drones and missiles, helping Kyiv residents decide whether to shelter. AFP shadowed the channel's 19-year-old operator, "Esko," who watches a live air-defence map and messages about 150,000 followers. Authorities tolerate these feeds despite legal and security concerns but warn against publishing sensitive details that could aid the enemy.
How Ukrainian Telegram Channels Track Incoming Russian Missiles — The People Behind the Alerts
Tens of thousands of Kyiv residents pile into underground metro stations when Russia is set to attack (OLEKSII FILIPPOV)
The chance of a missile strike on Kyiv that night was roughly 50 percent, according to the operator of a social media channel that tracks Russian air raids. His channel, Aeris Rimor — a name drawn from Latin meaning "Searcher of the Skies" — is one of dozens that send near-real-time alerts about incoming drones and missiles to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians.
Behind the Screen: The Operator Known as "Esko"
AFP journalists were granted rare access to shadow the channel's 19-year-old administrator, who goes by the handle "Esko," on condition that his identity and some operational details remain undisclosed. Typically working from home, Esko fills quiet moments by watching television or practising drone piloting on a simulator. He monitors a live air-defence map used by Ukraine's forces and posts alerts to roughly 150,000 followers.
"You have to literally stay on duty and stare at the screen the whole time, because you can easily miss it," Esko said, describing long nights and minimal sleep.
How The Channels Work
Operators like Esko watch live maps and compile alerts — red icons on a display often mark incoming drones or missiles and disappear when Ukraine's air defences intercept them. Channels aggregate this data and translate it into short, urgent messages on platforms such as Telegram, filling an information gap between official warnings and events on the ground.
The Human Dilemma: Shelter Or Stay?
Because modern ballistic missiles can travel at extremely high speeds, they may reach Kyiv within minutes of an air-raid warning. Residents face a stark choice: go to shelters such as the metro or a basement and endure a disrupted, uncomfortable night, or remain at home while accepting a potentially lethal risk — especially in high-rise buildings in heavily targeted districts.
On one night with mixed signals, 34-year-old Kateryna Reshetnyk decided to spend the hours in the subway with her mother and grandmother after cross-checking several channels she trusts. "No one knows for sure what will happen... You just rely on your intuition and survival instinct," she said.
Legal Grey Area And Official Stance
Monitoring channels are tolerated by Ukrainian authorities but operate in a legal grey area because many rely on contacts within the air force and on sensitive intelligence feeds. "We can't ban them. They exist, they inform the public," said an air force spokesman, while cautioning operators not to post "excess information... that the enemy can use against us." Channel administrators generally decline to disclose exactly how they access live maps.
Responsibility, Risks And Tension
With followers often making life-or-death choices on the basis of their posts, channel operators say the responsibility weighs heavily. Some prefer busy nights when activity validates their warnings; others say prolonged silence feels worse, with constant tension and the fear that a major strike is being prepared. "You keep waiting, waiting... and then they hit," Esko said.
Conclusion
Telegram monitoring channels such as Aeris Rimor have become an informal but influential part of Kyiv's civil defence ecosystem. They provide near-real-time information that helps residents make urgent decisions, while raising complex questions about operational security, the reliability of unverified feeds, and the ethics of sharing sensitive information during wartime.
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