Ukraine: Russian military offensive ongoing as of Feb. 26; clashes in Kyiv overnight Feb. 25/26 /update 8

Event

The Russian military offensive against Ukraine is ongoing as of Feb. 26. Ukrainian security forces have reportedly set up checkpoints at the main entrances to Kyiv and have blocked bridges and entrances near strategic facilities. Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were reported in Kyiv overnight Feb. 25/26. Impacted locations include Troieschyna, Shuliavka, and Veresteiska. Fighting has impacted Hostomel Airfield. Local officials have indicated that 35 civilians were injured in the clashes. The Kyiv mayor has indicated that Ukrainian forces control the city the morning Feb. 26. Ukrainian officials have indicated that 198 civilians have been killed and over 1,000 injured since the start of the conflict. The UN estimates that approximately 100,000 people have fled Ukraine in the past 48 hours.

Military Developments
Fighting continues on multiple fronts across Ukraine, including the line of contact in the Donbas, Sumy, Mariupol, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the southern city of Melitopol has fallen to Russian forces. Officials in Lviv have indicated that Russian military activity has been reported in nearby Brody. Russian military forces reportedly control territory north of Kyiv near the Belarus border, along with parts of the Ukraine Russia border, areas north of Crimea, and in eastern areas of the country.

Missile and artillery strikes continue to be reported in multiple areas, including Kyiv. Russian authorities assert that they are only targeting military infrastructure; however, Ukrainian officials have reported multiple civilian casualties. In the Black Sea, a cargo vessel was impacted Feb. 25. A Japanese-owned and Panama-registered freighter was struck by artillery. One crew member was injured.

Martial Law, Curfews, Disruptions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared martial law and ordered a nationwide general military mobilization. Male citizens aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country. All foreign nationals, however, remain free to depart. Borders remain open, but authorities prohibit strikes, rallies, and mass events. Under martial law, the government can implement special border controls, impose curfews, and evacuate residents from dangerous areas, if necessary.

Curfews have been imposed in multiple regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Rivne, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Cherkasy. Curfew hours are 22:00-07:00 in Kyiv, 22:00-05:00 in Odesa, and 22:00-06:00 in all other listed regions. A 22:00-06:00 curfew is also in effect in Lviv. Civilians are to 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, are likely to persist as of Feb. 26, and significant traffic congestion is also likely on major roads leaving conflict-impacted cities. Road travel disruptions are being reported at borders in Ukraine's west as thousands of civilians flee the conflict.

Critical Infrastructure
Long-distance rail services to Kharkiv remain suspended. Metro services in Kyiv have also ceased as many stations are being used as bomb shelters. Most other Ukrainian Railways (UZ) services are operating normally but may be subject to disruptions with little warning. Large crowds have been reported at some operational stations. UZ is also operating evacuation trains from the Luhansk, Donetsk, and Odesa regions. Rail transport to/from Slovakia has been suspended.

Civilian aviation is suspended in Ukraine, and the nation's seaports are closed. Russia has suspended flights at domestic airports near its border with Ukraine through March 2 and has temporarily stopped commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov. Belarus has also enforced partial airspace closures. Furthermore, Moldova declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace Feb. 24. Poland, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria have closed their respective airspaces to Russian airlines.

Intermittent telecommunication and internet disruptions have been reported across the country as of Feb. 26. 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

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine during a televised address at around 05:45 (MSK) Feb. 24. According to President Putin, the military action will seek to "demilitarize" Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Kremlin's ultimate territorial objectives remain unclear. However, Moscow formally recognized the breakaway Donestk and Luhansk oblasts in the eastern Donbas region Feb. 21 and supported their claims to the entirety of those two provinces. As a result, Russia will likely attempt to seize control of Ukrainian-held towns in the Donbas region, with major ground operations taking place in areas east of the Dnieper River. Military activity elsewhere in Ukraine is likely to persist as Russian forces seek to degrade Ukrainian military capabilities. As of Feb. 26, Russian forces appear to be seeking to surround Kyiv.

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.