Ukraine: Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces ongoing in multiple areas March 25 /update 47

Event

Russian and Russia-backed forces continue to clash with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukrainian Territorial Defense units March 25. Ukrainian troops are continuing to make advances to the northwest of Kyiv, after reportedly entering the town of Irpin on March 24 after heavy fighting. Heavy fighting also took place along the nearby Kyiv-Zhytomyr highway. To the northeast of Kyiv, Ukrainian forces allegedly entered the towns of Lukyanivka and Lukashi on March 24. It is unclear whether the participating units encountered any serious resistance from Russian forces, which are believed to be taking up defensive positions in the area.

The heaviest fighting continues to be reported in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, where Russian and Russia-backed forces have made some gains in recent days. In the Luhansk Region, fighting has focused on the towns of Sievierodonetsk, Rubizhne, and Popasna. Fighting in the Donetsk Region has centered on a number of small towns between Donetsk city and Horlivka, including Avdiika and Ocheretyne, which have both experienced Russian ground assaults in the last 24 hours. In Mariupol, heavy bombardments and frequent ground assaults are ongoing. Russian and Russia-backed forces have reportedly entered the city center and are engaging Ukrainian defenders in urban warfare. The city's administration has reportedly fled the city for their safety; however, this remains unconfirmed.

Elsewhere, clashes have also been reported in Slavutych in Chernihiv Region and in Izyum in Kharkiv Region over the past 24 hours. Russian forces claim to be in control of Izyum; however, Ukraine denies this information is accurate. Clashes amid a Ukrainian advance also continue to be reported in areas immediately northwest and west of the city of Mykolaiv. Shelling is ongoing in the city of Chernihiv, as well as in Sumy, Okhtyrka in the Sumy Region, Kharkiv, and Oleksandrivka in the Mykolaiv Region. Previous reports that Ukrainian forces shelled and damaged a Russian landing ship in the port of Berdyansk March 24 remain unconfirmed; Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the incident.

Protests denouncing the Russian offensive and the subsequent occupation continue to take place in multiple urban centers. Most protests are reported in the Kherson Region, where Russian forces have maintained a presence since March 2. Russian troops have used tear gas and opened fire on protesters on several occasions, highlighting the difficulty Russian forces may encounter when attempting to impose order in some cities under their occupation. Elsewhere, protests have occurred in Berdyansk and Melitopol, which are also under Russian occupation. These actions highlight the difficulty Russian forces may encounter

Disruptions and Shortages
Ukrainian Railways (UZ) continues to operate evacuation trains from Kyiv and multiple other areas, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Clashes and artillery strikes periodically prompt the suspension of evacuations. Large crowds continue to be reported at stations offering evacuation services. Intercity and regional rail services are available intermittently; rail services are subject to disruptions without warning. Civilian aviation remains suspended and the nation's seaports are closed.

Nightly curfews are in effect in multiple regions during various time frames. In the Kyiv Region, a curfew is in place 20:00-07:00; in Mykolaiv, a curfew is in place from 20:00-06:00; in Zaporizhzhia, the curfew is in place from 20:00-05:00; and, in Rivne, authorities have declared a curfew from 22:00-06:00. Generally, civilians must stay indoors during curfew hours; exemptions are in place for workers in critical infrastructure and persons seeking urgent medical care or bomb shelters. Depending on local developments, authorities may extend or amend curfew hours on short notice.

Intermittent telecommunications, internet, and utility disruptions continue across much of the country. Reports also indicate a shortage of basic supplies, including groceries and pharmaceutical products, in multiple cities facing Russian ground assaults. The most severe shortages and disruptions are consistently reported in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, which have suffered heavy bombardments and repeated ground assaults in recent days. Similar situations are likely in other cities facing Russian ground offensives or heavy bombardments. Finally, the National Bank of Ukraine has limited foreign currency transfers and withdrawals.

Ukraine's borders with Belarus, Russia, and the Transnistria region of Moldova are closed to foreign nationals; only Ukrainian citizens can enter from these areas. Ukraine's borders with Hungary, Moldova, Poland, and Slovakia remain open. Though congestion has eased since the early days of the conflict, delays may worsen depending on conflict developments elsewhere in the country.

Context

The conflict appears to be entering a protracted phase and Russian troops are likely digging in defensively while they await resupply or reinforcement, or otherwise regain the initiative they had during the early days of the conflict. Ukrainian counteroffensives, though limited, have reportedly been effective at pushing Russian forces out of some areas in recent days.

However, given that Russia is likely concentrating on the southeast in an effort to fulfill the stated aim of capturing the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, limited Ukrainian counteroffensives are unlikely to significantly impact the course of the conflict. Accordingly, offensive operations have increasingly focused on the Donbas. Though progress has slowed considerably from the initial phase of the war, Russian and Russia-backed forces continue to make slow but steady gains in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, while continuing to close in on Mariupol city center. While negotiations are ongoing, it is likely that Russian officials will only present concrete proposals once they feel the military position in southeast Ukraine is relatively secure.

Recent talks have failed to yield any concrete de-escalation of the conflict, though both Russian and Ukrainian positions are believed to have softened. Moscow is reportedly no longer demanding Ukraine's unconditional surrender, while Kyiv has indicated a willingness to abandon the pursuit of NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees.

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, road routes, and borders before departure.

Resources

Ukrainian Railways - UZ (Facebook) (Ukrainian)
Listing of Available Trains by City (Ukrainian)
State Border Guard Service (Facebook) (Ukrainian)