If tomorrow there is a war: what to do and how to behave

This article was updated on March 3, 2026 due to events in the Middle East.

The reality is this: the war in Ukraine continues. The United States and Israel started a war with Iran. In turn, the world media say that the rapid development and aggravation of conflicts is possible soon. Political leaders in Europe are engaged in endless discussions about a possible war. Military exercises, increased defense spending, and combat readiness drills—all of these are clear signs of tension. But what if a war broke out right outside your window tomorrow?

Doberman.media explains what to do and how to respond if hostilities break out in your country tomorrow. Our experts will share several important strategies to help you stay one step ahead. Be prepared for any turn of events and protect yourself and your loved ones!

Filter information and try to keep a sober mind

Staying informed about news and events is very important in a crisis. However, you may fall victim to information manipulation—for example, by Russian media, Belarusian propaganda, or even local European media—which could mislead you. Remember that one of the enemy’s main goals is to intimidate and demoralize the opposition, including both military personnel and the civilian population.

In the context of an information war, it is especially important to rely on verified and independent sources. Under no circumstances should you rely on state-run media in Russia and Belarus, or on random blogs and anonymous Telegram channels. We recommend that you follow the media outlets listed below, which are known for being objective and reliable sources of information in both the Russian- and English-speaking worlds:

Jellyfish (meduza.io) — This independent publication offers objective analysis of current events. (рекомендуем)

Novaya Gazeta Europe (novayagazeta.eu) — continues the tradition of one of Russia’s leading independent newspapers, despite persecution within the country.

Mediazona (zona.media) — a publication specializing in human rights issues and the military situation.

Important Stories (istories.media) — focuses on investigative reporting and social issues related to war and politics.

By staying up to date on the news through reliable sources, you'll be able to make informed decisions and respond to events appropriately.

Al Jazeera English (aljazeera.com) — a Qatari news channel with a global audience that provides a broad perspective on international events.

BBC News (bbc.com) — the British Broadcasting Corporation, known worldwide for the quality of its news coverage.

The Guardian (theguardian.com) — a well-known British publication that frequently covers international conflicts, with a focus on their humanitarian consequences.

Reuters (reuters.com) — one of the world's largest news agencies, known for its neutral reporting of facts.

By staying up to date on the news through reliable sources, you'll be able to make informed decisions and respond to events appropriately.

Here is a list of reliable news outlets, broken down by European country, that you can read to stay informed:

Germany

Deutsche Welle (dw.com) — an international news outlet focused on independent journalism and analysis, available in several languages, including Russian and English.

Der Spiegel (spiegel.de) — one of Germany's most respected publications, known for its investigative reporting and analysis.

France

Le Monde (lemonde.fr) — a well-known French publication known for its high-quality news coverage and analysis, with a focus on international conflicts.

France 24 (france24.com) — an international news channel that broadcasts news in French and English.

United Kingdom

The Guardian (theguardian.com) — one of the UK's leading publications, known for its coverage of international events and independent investigations.

BBC News (bbc.com) — a public broadcaster known for its objective coverage of global news.

Italy

Corriere della Sera (corriere.it) — one of Italy's oldest and most respected newspapers — offers in-depth analysis of international events.

La Repubblica (repubblica.it) — a major publication with a national and international audience that covers current events with a focus on Europe.

Spain

El País (elpais.com) — Spain's largest newspaper, known for its high-quality articles and analysis on international issues.

ABC (abc.es) — one of Spain's most influential publications, offering a wealth of news and analysis on international issues.

Netherlands

De Volkskrant (volkskrant.nl) — one of the leading Dutch publications, providing news and commentary on international events.

NRC Handelsblad (nrc.nl) — another reputable publication that publishes high-quality articles and investigative reports.

Sweden

Dagens Nyheter (dn.se) — Sweden's largest newspaper, known for its independent approach and high-quality news coverage.

Svenska Dagbladet (svd.se) — a popular Swedish publication that focuses on analytical articles and international events.

Norway

Aftenposten (aftenposten.no) — Norway's largest newspaper, providing in-depth analysis and news on international conflicts.

VG (Verdens Gang) (vg.no) — one of Norway's leading news outlets with broad coverage.

Finland

Helsingin Sanomat (hs.fi) — Finland's largest newspaper, providing high-quality news and commentary on international issues.

Yle (yle.fi) — a public broadcaster known for its objective news coverage.

Denmark

Politiken (politiken.dk) — one of Denmark's leading publications, with a strong focus on international events and analysis.

Berlingske (berlingske.dk) is one of the oldest publications in Denmark, providing detailed reports and commentary on international events.

Switzerland

Le Temps (letemps.ch) is a French-language publication in Switzerland with an emphasis on international news and analysis.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) (nzz.ch) is a Swiss newspaper known for its detailed analytical articles on international issues.

This list covers the leading media in European countries that can be trusted in an uncertain international environment.

Email newsletters

Subscribe to Email newsletters Media that you trust, since websites may not work during hostilities (during martial law, this is a standard rule for many states), but it is much more difficult to block email than a website or instant messengers.

Reliable email newsletters can be a great way to get objective information directly. Here are some well-known and respected sources with quality newsletters:

In English:

The Guardian – First Edition
The newsletter from the British newspaper The Guardian is sent daily with the main news and analysis. You can choose topics, including international conflicts.
Subscription: The Guardian First Edition

BBC News – Global News Briefing
The BBC offers a daily newsletter with major world events and key information on international issues.
Subscription: BBC News Briefing

Reuters – Daily Briefing
Reuters provides concise and unbiased news summaries on major world events, including military conflicts and political crises.
Subscription: Reuters Daily Briefing

Foreign Policy – Morning Brief
An authoritative resource on international politics and conflicts, their morning mailing list includes analytics and major news on a global scale.
Subscription: Foreign Policy Morning Brief

Politico – Playbook
Daily morning newsletter with reviews of the most important news in the field of politics, including international conflicts.
Subscription: Politico Playbook

In Russian:

Mediazona – Latest News
Mediazona offers a newsletter featuring news and investigative reports on current issues, including military conflicts and human rights.
Subscription: Mediazona

Jellyfish – Story of the Day
A daily newsletter featuring the day’s most important stories, as well as in-depth analysis and news on current events.
Subscription: Medusa: Story of the Day

Doberman.media – Men's Newsletter
A weekly newsletter featuring the most important content for men.
Subscription: Doberman.media

Novaya Gazeta Europe – Today's News
Novaya Gazeta Europe offers a daily newsletter featuring top news stories, including coverage of military conflicts and the political situation.
Subscription: Novaya Gazeta Europe

The Bell – Highlights
Newsletter with the main news of the day, as well as with analytics of international events.
Subscription: The Bell Highlights

Important Stories – News & Investigations
This publication has a regular mailing list with important materials and investigations on key topics, including international events.
Subscription: Important Stories

U Doberman.media has its own Email newsletter* created just for you. Be sure to subscribe to it. Also Install our bot in Telegram, which will also send urgent messages in case of emergency: @RadioDoberman_bot

During the war, it is difficult to verify information, so we advise you to check each new important message with the following questions:

• Is this a fact or someone's subjective opinion?
• What is the purpose of disseminating this information?
• Can its source be trusted?
• Is this message available elsewhere?
• Is this information new or old? Why did it appear now?

Remember that the best defense against lies and enemy propaganda is to be critical of the sources of information. Do not believe the rumors, always rely on at least one authoritative source. And if the information does not look plausible, definitely do not pass it on. And don't sit in front of the news feeds: it only makes you stressful. You should visit information resources no more than once an hour: the situation usually does not change faster.

You need to have a plan

You must clearly understand what exactly you will do in an emergency situation. Understanding the algorithm of actions is the best protection against panic.

It should describe step-by-step actions regarding where to move in the event of an attack, shelling, where to hide and what to take with you. Also write in your plans relatives who need to be taken care of and think over the same plan for each of them. If you decide to move to calmer countries and regions, you also need to prepare for this.

Suppose hostilities began in your city. What should I do personally?

• Find out where shelters are close to your home and work. If the bomb shelter is far away or the authorities are hiding where it is located, find out if access to the basement of your or a neighbor's house is open.
• Limit your movements: you should not go far from your home or place of work unless necessary. Under no circumstances should you go out without an identity card. To which it is desirable to add information about your blood type and possible health problems - for example, allergies to some medications.
• Don't share your plans with strangers or people you don't trust.
• Do not follow the shootout from the window. Do not approach windows at all during active hostilities.
• Avoid communicating with armed people. And definitely don't argue or quarrel with them.
• Do not wear army uniforms or camouflage clothing. It is better to dress in dark and inconspicuous clothes without any symbolism.

What do you need to have in the house in case of an emergency?

This long list can be divided into four groups: food, water, warmth and connection. 

Food. The products recommended for purchase are non-perishable. Cereals, flour, oil, canned food, vegetables, long-term milk, as well as energy products - nuts, dried fruits, sweets, as well as sugar, salt, tea and coffee. It is definitely worth taking care of nutrition for young children - buy formulas, juices, purees and other necessary food products. And also, take care of pets. They will also need to buy food, litter for toilets, accessories.

Water.  Don't forget to stock up on water. Both drinking and technical. Drinking water - from 2 liters per day per person, Technical water - in unlimited quantities. If you are not sure about the purity of drinking water, it should be possible to boil it.

Warmth. Ability to save Heat Important in the cold season: if electricity and heating are cut off in your home, every degree will matter. The Swedes advise you to stock up on woolen clothes, warm jackets and trousers, hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, sleeping bags, candles, matches or lighters, batteries and paraffin or gas heaters. If it gets cold in the room, it is worth covering the windows with blankets, gathering everyone in one room, covering the floor in it with blankets or carpets. You can cover the table with blankets and gather under the table. Just do not forget to ventilate the room and extinguish candles and heaters at night to avoid fire.

Communication is important to receive messages about the situation around you and communicate with your family. Therefore, prepare battery-powered radios, power banks, mobile chargers that can work from a car outlet. Write down important phone numbers on a piece of paper. Also, do not forget about flashlights, small denomination cash, wet wipes, diapers for children, sanitary pads for women. It is important to have enough fuel for the car.

What else is important to do in the house?

Universal Council of Civil Protection Services Around the World – Apply Protective Tape Strips to Your Windows. This will make them more resistant to blast waves: there will be fewer glass fragments, they will not scatter around the rooms.

If you live in a private house on a land plot, equip a shelter at a distance from the house that is greater than its height. This way there are more chances to remain unharmed if the building is destroyed by an explosion. If your house is an apartment building, or it is a dense private development, if possible, equip a shelter in the basement. You can protect it with sandbags.

Buy fire extinguishing products.

In case you have to leave your home, it’s recommended that you take an “emergency kit” with you. What should you put in it?

Here is what is advised to put in the "Emergency Suitcase":

• copies of important documents - passport, car license, real estate and car documents. You can also put photos of relatives and friends, pack everything in polyethylene;
• medicines: strong analgesics, antipyretic, antibiotics, remedies for food poisoning, iodine or alcohol, bandage, cotton wool, plaster, remedies for existing diseases;
• credit cards and cash;
• duplicate house and car keys;
• A map of the area, as well as information about the method of communication and the agreed meeting place for your family;
• a small radio receiver and batteries for it;
• a flashlight (or preferably several), spare batteries for it, matches, a lighter, candles;
• a compass, a watch (preferably waterproof);
• a multitool, a knife, an axe, signal means like a whistle;
• several garbage bags with a volume of 120 liters. If they are cut, they can be made into a tent or awning;
• a roll of wide tape;
• a pack of condoms. They can be safely stored matches or lighters, it is convenient to seal containers from insects and sand. Condoms can carry water. They are also used as a tourniquet to stop bleeding;
• about 20 meters of synthetic cord 4-5 mm thick;
• a notebook and a pencil;
• threads and needles;
• clothing: two sets of underwear, two pairs of cotton socks, woolen socks, pants, a shirt or sweater, a raincoat, a hat, gloves, a scarf and comfortable shoes;
• a tent, a polyurethane mat, a sleeping bag (if space allows);
• hygiene products: a toothbrush and toothpaste, a small bar of soap, a towel (there are pressed camping towels), toilet paper, several packs of dry and wet wipes, intimate hygiene products, a razor, a manicure set;
• if necessary, children's supplies;
• a metal pot, a flask, a spoon, a mug;
• A supply of food for several days: high-calorie sweets (dark chocolate with nuts, lollipops), stew, biscuits, soup packages, canned meat and fish. If space allows, cereals, pasta, dry vegetable semi-finished products;
• a supply of drinking water for 1-2 days, if possible, it should be periodically renewed.

Do not deny yourself pleasures even during the war. Enjoying life doesn't have to make you feel guilty—on the contrary, it gives you strength. And do not stop doing ordinary things: brushing your teeth, working, cleaning the house. For convenience, you can even write a list of things you need to do in the morning or evening on a piece of paper.

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