Ukraine: Russian military offensive continues in multiple cities as of Feb. 28 /update 12

Event

The Russian military offensive against Ukraine is continuing as of Feb. 28 despite the start of talks between the two countries. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reports the heaviest clashes ongoing north, west and southwest of Kyiv, as well as on the outskirts of Kharkiv and Chernihiv. Although casualty figures remain unclear, the UN reports that around 102 civilians have been killed. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have confirmed military casualty figures.

Local reports indicate that Belarus may be sending troops to support Russian forces in ground operations following a national referendum Feb. 27 on constitutional amendments that lifted the country's neutral and non-nuclear status. Ukrainian officials additionally stated that several missiles reportedly launched from Belarus struck an airfield near Zhytomyr on Feb. 27.

The Kyiv Metro is providing limited services as of 08:00 Feb 28. Ukrainian Railways (UZ) continues to offer limited long-distance rail services from Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities to western areas of the country, as well as to Poland and European border regions; additional evacuation trains will be added as necessary.

Military Developments
Fighting continues on multiple fronts across Ukraine including multiple points on the line of contact in the Donbas, the outskirts of Kyiv, the Chernihiv and Sumy regions in the northeast, and the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south. Clashes continue in or near multiple southern cities including Berdyansk, Henichesk, Kherson, Mariupol, Melitopol, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Explosions from purported artillery and airstrikes have also occurred in and around Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, and Mykolaiv Feb. 28. Missile and artillery strikes have impacted multiple areas, including several civilian buildings since the conflict began; airstrikes have also struck civilian infrastructure. Additionally, Greek officials reported Feb. 26 that Russian airstrikes near Mariupol killed 10 Greek expatriates and wounded six others.

Martial Law, Curfews, Disruptions
Martial law and a nationwide general military mobilization are in effect. Curfews are in effect 22:00-06:00 in multiple regions including Cherkasy, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhia, and Zhytomyr. Curfew hours are 16:00-06:00 in Kharkiv, 19:00-06:00 in Odesa, 20:00-06:00 in Dniper, 21:00-0600 in Chernihiv, and 22:00-08:00 in Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk. Authorities may extend or amend curfew hours on short notice depending on the ground situation. Civilians must stay indoors during curfew hours; exemptions are in place for persons seeking urgent medical care and workers in critical infrastructure. Public transport is unavailable during curfew hours.

Queues at ATMs, supermarkets, and petrol stations will likely persist, as will significant traffic congestion on major roads leaving conflict-impacted cities. Ukrainian authorities have closed the country's borders with Belarus, Russia, and the Transnistria region of Moldova to foreign nationals; only Ukrainian citizens can enter from these areas. Reports also indicate significant road travel disruptions at Ukraine's western borders as thousands of civilians flee the conflict. Ukraine's borders with Hungary, Moldova, Poland, and Slovakia remain open; increased troop deployment by the respective states are likely at the border regions in the short term as the countries prepare to receive refugees. Significant delays at border crossings into neighboring states will likely continue.

Critical Infrastructure
Metro services in Kyiv have resumed; however, trains will not operate during curfew hours and will likely cease during air raids as many stations are functioning as bomb shelters. Civilian aviation is suspended in Ukraine, and the nation's seaports are closed. Russia has temporarily stopped commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov.

UZ services are operational, though reports indicate severe delays and congestion. Rail services are subject to disruptions with little warning. For UZ status updates, please click here. Reports indicate large crowds at several operational stations, including in Kyiv, where large crowds are likely attempting to board trains. UZ is also operating evacuation trains from the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Odesa regions. Authorities have cancelled train services to Slovakia.

Intermittent telecommunication and internet disruptions continue across the country as of Feb. 28. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has banned the withdrawal of foreign currency cash from accounts and has limited the permitted cash withdrawal to UAH 100,000 (3,340 USD) per day. The bank has also suspended cross-border currency payments and the replenishment of electronic wallets.

Context

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to hold talks with Russia amid the ongoing offensive. Senior Ukrainian officials, including Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, are meeting with their Russian counterparts near the Belarus-Ukraine border Feb. 28. Ukraine is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces; however, Russia demands the unconditional surrender of Ukrainian forces. Zelensky agreed to hold the talks without preconditions but believes the talks have little chance of successfully halting Russia's offensive.

Advice

Avoid travel to Ukraine until the situation stabilizes; consider exiting the country if safe to do so. Where fighting or airstrikes are occurring, shelter in place until the situation becomes clear. If officials report incoming fire, stay away from windows and exterior walls. Strictly heed the instructions of local security personnel, particularly when ordered to air-raid shelters. Stockpile food, fuel, and water when possible and safe to do so. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Confirm that a thorough communication plan exists to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in Ukraine. Reconfirm the status of public transport services and borders before departure.

Resources

Ukrainian Railways (Facebook)
State Border Guard Service (Facebook)