Air raid sirens are one of the many security measures put in place by the league to protect players and staff from the ongoing Russian invasion of the country.
Football returned to Ukraine on Tuesday for the first time since February’s Russian invasion.
Wednesday’s game between Rukh Lviv and Metalist Kharkiv, which Metalist eventually won 2-1, was the only league game affected by the sirens that day.
In an email to CNN, the UPL said: “Safety measures are our top priority, so both teams have had to go into the dugout every time, according to available safety protocols. The total time of the game was actually 4 and a half hour(s).”
Social media accounts posted videos showing what was happening at the stadium, including what allegedly happened when the first siren went off and of the players returning to the pitch after one of the stoppages.
Tuesday’s goalless draw between Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925 Kharkiv in Kyiv marked the restart of the UPL, although football in Ukraine is looking very different at the moment than before.
The league has implemented several security measures to ensure the safety of players and staff as they play amid Russia’s ongoing onslaught.
In addition to air raid sirens, air raid shelters were set up near stadiums, which fans are not allowed to enter.
According to Andriy Pavelko, head of the Football Union of Ukraine, the matches will be played in Kyiv and surrounding regions for security reasons.
“We were staying at the hotel, we were about to go to the stadium. When we were there we just prayed that we wouldn’t hear a siren for 90 minutes or we’d have to duck and wait for the siren to go off.
“It wasn’t a good result but our fans are so happy and the Ukrainians are so happy because we’re starting to do something we love and that’s playing football.”
Ukrainian football icon Andriy Shevchenko says sport must play an important role in uniting the people behind his country.
“It’s very important for the people, for the rest of the world – we can send the message that Ukraine is there,” Shevchenko told CNN Sport about the prospect of domestic football returning.
“Even if we are at war in the country, we will fight because we also want to live like normal countries, a normal life.”