diff --git a/unit/README-short.txt b/unit/README-short.txt
index ba3ab5549e80..2a770bfc5270 100644
--- a/unit/README-short.txt
+++ b/unit/README-short.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Official build of NGINX Unit: Universal Web App Server
+DEPRECATED; Official build of NGINX Unit: Universal Web App Server
diff --git a/unit/deprecated.md b/unit/deprecated.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2acd8bfd6833
--- /dev/null
+++ b/unit/deprecated.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+As of October 2025, NGINX Unit is archived and unmaintained. The images will not receive release or security updates.
+
+https://github.com/nginx/unit?tab=readme-ov-file#note-this-repository-has-been-archived-there-will-likely-be-no-further-development-at-this-repo-and-security-vulnerabilities-may-be-unaddressed