Ukraine: Martial law lifted in eastern regions December 26 /update 6

Event

President Petro Poroshenko has lifted a martial law order as of 14:00 (local time) on Wednesday, December 26, in regions located along the Russian border, the Moldovan border, and the coastal areas of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The government cited the lack of an immediate security threat since Russian forces seized three Ukrainian vessels and detained 24 sailors in the Kerch Strait on November 25. A heightened security presence is nevertheless expected to persist in regions bordering Russia in the coming weeks and months due to the ongoing dispute.

Context

Martial law was implemented on November 28 in the central and eastern regions of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporishia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Vinnitsa, as well as the Azov-Kerch Strait basin. Under the martial law decree, authorities restricted public rallies, regulate media, impose curfews, increase security measures at government buildings and other points of interest, seize private property, and call for military mobilization by eligible citizens, among other measures. The order is in response to a November 25 incident in the Kerch Strait in which Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian naval vessels and arrested several Ukrainian sailors. 

Advice

Individuals in Ukraine are advised to monitor developments to the situation, adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, and be prepared for disruptions at land border crossings.

Due to an ongoing separatist conflict in the east, many Western governments advise against travel to the far east, including the cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, and Luhansk.